to usher in the fullness of the times and to bring together in the Messiah all things in heaven and on earth.

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which prevails among you, and of your love for all God's people,

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him.

Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

And he came and brought the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off, and of peace to those that were near;

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

Built upon the foundation of the sent, and of the prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the corner stone;

For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs] I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—

That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named,

in order to equip the saints for the work of serving, for the building up of the Body of Christ??13 till we all come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to the maturity of manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

for their [moral] understanding is darkened and their reasoning is clouded; [they are] alienated and self-banished from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the [willful] ignorance and spiritual blindness that is [deep-seated] within them, because of the hardness and insensitivity of their heart.

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Joining with one another in holy songs of praise and of the Spirit, using your voice in songs and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church.

As for you fathers, do not exasperate your children, but bring them up in the discipline and on the admonitions of the Lord.

For our conflict is not with flesh and blood only, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the world and of the darkness of this age, against wicked spirits in heavenly places.

So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart),

and on your feet put the readiness the good news of peace brings.

And on my behalf, that utterance may be given unto me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,