that we who had first put our hope in Christ might praise His glory.

far above every other government, authority, power, and dominion, yea, far above every other title that can be conferred, not only in this world but in the world to come.

And so He has put all things under His feet and made Him the supreme Head of the church,

But God, who is so rich in mercy on account of the great love He has for us,

But now through your union with Christ Jesus you who were once far away have through the blood of Christ been brought near.

through His human nature He has put a stop to the hostility between us, namely, the law with its commands and decrees, in order to create one new humanity out of the two parties and so make peace through union with Himself, and in one body

So you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but you are fellow-citizens of God's people and members of His family;

which in the earlier ages, so different from the present, was not made known to mankind as fully as now, but through the Spirit it has been revealed to His Holy apostles and prophets --

There is but one body and one Spirit, just as there is but one hope resulting from the call you have received;

there is but one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

But in accordance with the measure of Christ's gift, His favor has been bestowed upon each one of us.

But, on the other hand, we shall go on holding to the truth and in love growing up into perfect union with Him, that is, Christ Himself who is the Head.

But this is not the way you have learned what Christ means,

and put on the new self which has been created in the likeness of God, which fruits in right and holy living inspired by the truth.

You must stop letting any bad word pass your lips, but only words that are good for building up as the occasion demands, so that they will result in spiritual blessing to the hearers.

But sexual vice and any form of immorality or sensual greed must not so much as be mentioned among you, as that is the only course becoming in God's people;

For at one time you were darkness itself, but now in union with the Lord you are light itself. You must live like children of light,

So you must be very careful how you live, not thoughtlessly but thoughtfully,

So stop becoming senseless, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Stop getting drunk on wine, for that means profligacy, but ever be filled with the Spirit,

that He might present the church to Himself as a splendid bride without a blot or wrinkle or anything like it, but to be consecrated and faultless.

for no one ever hates his own physical person, but he feeds and fosters it, just as Christ does the church;

But each one of you married men must love his wife as he loves himself, and the married woman, too, must respect her husband.

You parents, too, must stop exasperating your children, but continue to bring them up with the sort of education and counsel the Lord approves.

not serving them as though they were watching you, but as true slaves of Christ, trying to carry out the will of God.

You must put on God's full armor, so as to be able to stand up against the devil's stratagems.

For our contest is not with human foes alone, but with the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world; that is, with the spirit-forces of evil challenging us in the heavenly contest.

Hold your position, then, with your waist encircled with the belt of truth, put on right-doing as a coat of mail,

and put on your feet the preparation the good news of peace supplies.

Besides all these, take on the shield which faith provides, for with it you will be able to put out all the fire-tipped arrows shot by the evil one,