To Christ's People [AT EPHESUS] who are faithful to him, from Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God.

For in him, and through the shedding of his blood, we have found redemption in the pardon of our offenses.

In view of that Divine Order which was to mark the completion of the ages, when he should make everything, both in Heaven and on earth, center in him.

In him, I say, for by our union with him we became God's Heritage, having from the first been destined for this in the intention of him who, in all that happens, is carrying out his own fixed purpose;

And you, too, by your union with him, after you had heard the Message of the Truth, the Good News of your Salvation--you believed in him and were sealed as his by receiving the holy Spirit, which he had promised.

And the transcendent greatness of the power which he is able to exercise in dealing with us who believe in him.

The same mighty power was exerted upon the Christ, when he raised the Christ from the dead and 'caused him to sit at his right hand' on high, exalting him above all Angels and Archangels of every rank,

And God placed 'all things under Christ's feet,' and gave him to the Church as its supreme Head;

For the Church is Christ's Body, and is filled by him who fills all things everywhere with his presence.

And, through our union with Christ Jesus, God raised us with him, and caused us to sit with him on high,

For it is through him that we, the Jews and the Gentiles, united in the one Spirit, are now able to approach the Father.

United in him, every part of the building, closely joined together, will grow into a Temple, consecrated by its union with the Lord.

And, through union in him, you also are being built up together, to be a dwelling-place for God through the Spirit.

And in union with him, and through our trust in him, we find courage to approach God with confidence.

To him who, through his power which is at work within us, is able to do far more than anything that we can ask or conceive--

To him be all glory through the Church and through Christ Jesus, for all generations, age after age. Amen.

But holding the truth in a spirit of love, we shall grow into complete union with him who is our Head--Christ himself.

For from him the whole Body, closely joined and knit together by the contact of every part with the source of its life, derives its power to grow, in proportion to the vigor of each individual part; and so is being built up in a spirit of love.

But far different is the lesson you learned from the Christ-- if, that is, you really listened to him,

And through union with him were taught the Truth, as it is to be found in Jesus.

Let the man who steals steal no longer, but rather let him toil with his hands at honest work, so that he may have something to share with any one in want.

For of this you may be sure--that no one who is unchaste or impure or greedy of gain (for to be greedy of gain is idolatry) has any place awaiting him in the kingdom of the Christ and God.

And submit to one another from reverence for him.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same spirit. Give up threatening them; for you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven, and that before him there is no distinction of rank.

I am sending him to you on purpose that you may learn all about us, and that he may cheer your hearts.