In [fellowship with] Christ we have redemption [i.e., we have been bought back from Satan] through His blood, and have forgiveness of sins according to the abundance of God's unearned favor,

Having made clear to us the secret of his purpose, in agreement with the design which he had in mind, to put into his hands

so that we who were the first to hope in Christ [who first put our confidence in Him as our Lord and Savior] would exist to the praise of His glory.

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

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

For it is by grace [God’s remarkable compassion and favor drawing you to Christ] that you have been saved [actually delivered from judgment and given eternal life] through faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [not through your own effort], but it is the [undeserved, gracious] gift of God;

and not the result of actions, to put a stop to all boasting.

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

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

Having in his flesh put an end to that which made the division between us, even the law with its rules and orders, so that he might make in himself, of the two, one new man, so making peace;

He did this so that He might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross and put the hostility to death by it.

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

Which in other generations was not given to the sons of men, but the revelation of it has now been made to his holy Apostles and prophets in the Spirit;

This was done so that now God's many-sided wisdom could be made known through the church, to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms [Note: "Heavenly realms" here refers to the world around us, where these angelic beings (good or bad) view the unfolding of God's wonderful plan],

But to him that is able to do far exceedingly above all which we ask or think, according to the power which works in us,

endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace: for there is but one body and one Spirit,

There is but one body and but one Spirit, as also when you were called you had one and the same hope held out to you.

There is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

There is but one God and Father of all--the God who is over all, pervades all, and is in all.

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Therefore, it says [Psa. 68:18], "When He ascended on high [i.e., to heaven], He led a procession of captured prisoners [behind Him] [Note: This originally referred to God leading His people in triumph over Israel's enemies, but here is applied to Christ], and gave gifts to [various] people."

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

But the one having descended and the one having ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things, is the same.

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

from whom the whole body, well put together and compacted by means of every supplying joint, is, according to the working of each part in its proportion, building itself up in love.

But ye have not so learned Christ;

and been taught by him, (as the truth is in Jesus) To put off,

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

but be renewed in the spirit of your minds;

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

Wherefore, having put off falsehood, speak truth every one with his neighbour, because we are members one of another.

[Psa. 4:4 says], "Be angry [i.e., at wrongdoing. See Mark 3:5], but do not sin" [i.e., by harboring bitterness or retaliation]. Do not allow the sun to go down while you are still provoked.

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.

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

But be ye kind toward one another, merciful, forgiving one another, as indeed God in Christ forgave you.

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

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 ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

For the things which are done by them in secret it is shame even to put into words.

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

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

not as fools, but as wise men, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

but drink deeply of God's Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and offer praise in your hearts to the Lord.

But as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything.

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.

For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

But ye also, every one of you, let each so love his own wife as himself; but as to the wife I speak that she may fear the husband.

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

And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Be sure that everyone, slave or free, will be paid back by the Lord and Master for the good he has done.

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

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].

Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

And put on your shoes, ready to [go and] spread the Gospel of peace.

In addition to having clothed yourselves with these things, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one,

put on salvation as your helmet, and take the Spirit as your sword (that is, the word of God),

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: