Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will, to the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus who are at Ephesus.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

Even before the creation of the world God chose us, who are in [fellowship with] Christ, to be dedicated [to Him] and to be without just blame in His sight. Out of love

Who predestined us for sonship through Jesus Christ for himself, according to the desire of his will,

so that we would praise His glorious, unearned favor, which was freely given to us through the One whom God loved [i.e., Christ].

In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

so to order it in the fulness of the ages that all things in heaven and earth alike should be gathered up in Christ ??11 in the Christ in whom we have had our heritage allotted us (as was decreed in the design of him who carries out everything according to the counsel of his will),

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:

That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

who is the earnest of our inheritance to the redemption of the acquired possession to the praise of his glory.

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all:

And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

in which ye once walked according to the age of this world, according to the ruler of the authority of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience:

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.

But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

created life in us in Christ, who were dead in trespasses, by grace you have been saved,

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

and, coming, he has preached the glad tidings of peace to you who were afar off, and the glad tidings of peace to those who were nigh.

So then you are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but you are numbered among the saints, and of the family of God,

Built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone, On whom all the building fitly framed together,

In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

For this reason I Paul, I whom Jesus has made a prisoner for the sake of you Gentiles ??2 for surely you have heard how the grace of God which was vouchsafed me in your interests has ordered it,

that they who are of the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of his promise in Christ Jesus by the glad tidings;

Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

and to Him who is able above all things to do exceeding abundantly what we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us,

I, then, the prisoner for the Master's sake, entreat you to live and act as becomes those who have received the call that you have received--

One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

He that descended is the same who has also ascended up above all the heavens, that he might fill all things;

And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers,

till we should all attain the unity of the faith and knowledge of God's Son, reaching maturity, reaching the full measure of development which belongs to the fulness of Christ ??14 instead of remaining immature, blown from our course and swayed by every passing wind of doctrine, by the adroitness of men who are dexterous in devising error;

So we are no longer to be children, tossed back and forth by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching by the trickery of people who craftily carry out their deceitful schemes.

but speaking truth in love, we may grow up in all things into him, who is the head, even Christ;

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Whose thoughts are dark, to whom the life of God is strange because they are without knowledge, and their hearts have been made hard;

Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

(for it is Christ whom you have been taught, it is in Christ that you have been instructed ??the real Christ who is in Jesus);

[that] you take off, according to your former way of life, the old man, who is being destroyed according to deceitful desires,

and put on the new man (in accordance with God), who is created in righteousness and holiness from the truth.

The one who steals must steal no longer, but instead must labor, working with his own hands [what is] good, so that he may have [something] to share with the one who has need.

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption.

And live a life of love, following the example of the Christ, who loved you and gave himself for you as 'an offering and a sacrifice to God, that should be fragrant and acceptable.'

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.

Do not be turned from the right way by foolish words; for because of these things the punishment of God comes on those who do not put themselves under him.

for you people were once darkness [i.e., when living in sin], but now you are light in [fellowship with] the Lord. [So], live like people who belong to light [i.e., who live godly lives],

Do not have fellowship with [people who practice] worthless deeds of darkness [i.e., sinful living], but expose them instead.

wherefore he saith, 'Arouse thyself, thou who art sleeping, and arise out of the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee.'

giving thanks at all times for all things to him who is God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

For the husband is the head of his wife as the Messiah is the head of the church. It is he who is the Savior of the body.

You who are husbands must love your wives, just as Christ loves the church and gave himself for her,

so ought the husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies: he who is loving his own wife -- himself he doth love;

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with respect for authority, and with a sincere heart [seeking to please them], as [service] to Christ—

Let it not be in acts of eye-service as if you had but to please men, but as Christ's bondservants who are doing God's will from the heart.

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, and forbear threatening: knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with him.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

But that ye also may know my affairs, and what I am doing here, Tychicus a beloved brother, and a faithful minister in the Lord, shall make all known to you: whom I have sent to you,

Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts.

Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible love.