not of works, that no man should glory.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

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;

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.

For it is he who is our peace. Through his mortality he made both groups one by tearing down the wall of hostility that divided them.

having abolished in the flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man,'so making peace;

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

For it is through Him that we both have a [direct] way of approach in one Spirit to the Father.

That is why you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household,

you are a building that rests on the apostles and prophets as its foundation, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone;

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—

if so be that ye have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward;

How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

so that you may be able when you read to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ

which in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret:

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

whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of his power.

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 cause all to see what is the fellowship of the secret that hath been hid from the ages in God, who the all things did create by Jesus Christ,

To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

in keeping with the eternal purpose that God carried out through the Messiah Jesus our Lord,

It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we have boldness and confident access [to God] through our faith in Him.

Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.

This is the reason that I bow my knees [in prayer] to the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God—the first and ultimate Father].

That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;

That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

in order that ye may be fully able to apprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height;

And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.

There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]—

That is why God says, "When he went up to the highest place, he led captives into captivity and gave gifts to people."

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers:

[and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church];

until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity].

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;

Instead, by speaking the truth in love, we will grow up completely and become one with the head, that is, one with the Messiah,

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.

This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

And they, [the ungodly in their spiritual apathy], having become callous and unfeeling, have given themselves over [as prey] to unbridled sensuality, eagerly craving the practice of every kind of impurity [that their desires may demand].

But that is not how you learned about the Messiah,

If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

And do not grieve God's Holy Spirit; for it was through that Spirit that God sealed you as his, against the Day of Redemption.

and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

So that fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, be not once named among you, as it becometh saints:

no, nor indecent, silly, or scurrilous talk ??all that is improper. Rather, voice your thanks to God.

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.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for it is on account of these very sins that God's anger is coming upon the disobedient.

For you at one time were dark, but now are light in the Lord: let your behaviour be that of children of light

for the fruit that the light produces consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Then you will demonstrate [or, "learn about"] a life that is very pleasing to the Lord.

Have nothing to do with the barren unprofitable deeds of darkness, but, instead of that, set your faces against them;

for the things that are done by them in secret it is shameful even to say.

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body.

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

"That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

That is a great truth hitherto kept secret: I mean the truth concerning Christ and the Church.

Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Children, obey your parents, as children of the Lord; for that is but right.

[Ex. 20:12 says], "Show honor to your father and mother," (which is the first commandment that carries the promise),

That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

with good-will, as serving the Lord rather than men:

Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world--the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things:

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 them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Every recollection that I have of you is a cause of thankfulness to God,

Always, in every prayer that I offer for you all--my prayers are full of joy--

Because of the share that you have had in spreading the Good News, from the first day that you received it until now.

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: