I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,

in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience.

not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.

remember that you were at that time separate from Christ, excluded 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 you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.

by abolishing in his flesh the hostility, which is the Law of commandments and ordinances, so that he might create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace,

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are members of God's household,

which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.

and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming.

Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds,

and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but rather must labor, doing useful work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with those in need.

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building others up according to the need of the moment, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

And there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather let there be thanksgiving.

For of this you can be sure, that no immoral, impure, or covetous personsuch a man is an idolaterhas any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

Masters, do the same to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.