He foreordained us to become His sons by adoption through Christ Jesus, to carry out the happy choice of His will,

But now in Christ Jesus you, the ones who once were far away, have become near by the blood of Christ.

in whom the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord;

in whom you also are being built up together to become a fixed abode for God through the Spirit.

of which I am become minister according to the gift of the grace of God given to me, according to the working of his power.

So I ask you not to lose heart at my sufferings on your behalf, for they are your glory and honor.

[I pray] that, according to God's glorious abundance, He would empower you to become [spiritually] strong through His Holy Spirit in your inner person,

That the Christ may dwell, through means of your faith, in your hearts, in love, having become rooted and founded,

and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself].

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--

with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another in [unselfish] love.

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to become mature, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

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

Who, indeed, having become past feeling, have delivered, themselves, up, with wantonness, unto making a trade of all impurity with greed.

at least if you have really become acquainted with him and been instructed in him, and in union with him have been taught the truth as it is found in Jesus.

that, regarding your previous way of life, you put off your old self [completely discard your former nature], which is being corrupted through deceitful desires,

Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you.

Become ye, therefore, imitators of God, as children beloved,

But fornication and all uncleanness or unbridled lust, let it not be even named among you, as it becomes saints;

so too with vulgarity and buffoonery and foolish jesting. Such words become you not, but rather thanksgiving.

Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey.

Do not, then, become co-partners with them;

All things, however, when reproved by the light, become manifest, for, all that of itself maketh manifest, is, light;

For this cause, do not become foolish, but have discernment as to what is the will of the Lord;

And do not become intoxicated with wine, during which is debauchery, but be filled in Spirit,

For this cause, will a man leave his father and his mother, and will cleave unto his wife, and, they two, shall become, one flesh.

so that it may become well with thee, and thou will be long lasting on the earth.

And you fathers [Note: This word probably includes both parents], do not stir up your children to become angry, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.

Finally, become strong in the Lord and in the might of his strength.