To Christ's People [AT EPHESUS] who are faithful to him, from Paul, an Apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God.

From the first he destined us, in his good-will towards us, to be adopted as Sons through Jesus Christ,

In him, I say, for by our union with him we became God's Heritage, having from the first been destined for this in the intention of him who, in all that happens, is carrying out his own fixed purpose;

The same mighty power was exerted upon the Christ, when he raised the Christ from the dead and 'caused him to sit at his right hand' on high, exalting him above all Angels and Archangels of every rank,

Remember that you were at that time far from Christ; you were shut out from the citizenship of Israel; you were strangers to the Covenants founded on God's Promise; you were in the world without hope and without God.

And in his human nature put an end to the cause of enmity between them--the Law with its injunctions and ordinances--in order to create, through union with himself, from Jew and Gentile, one New Man and thus make peace.

And to make clear what is God's way of working out that hidden purpose which from the first has been concealed in the mind of the Creator of all things;

From whom all 'fatherhood' in Heaven and on earth derives its name--

For from him the whole Body, closely joined and knit together by the contact of every part with the source of its life, derives its power to grow, in proportion to the vigor of each individual part; and so is being built up in a spirit of love.

With their powers of discernment darkened, cut off from the Life of God, owing to the ignorance that prevails among them and to the hardness of their hearts.

But far different is the lesson you learned from the Christ-- if, that is, you really listened to him,

And that you must clothe yourselves in that new nature which was created to resemble God, with the righteousness and holiness springing from the Truth.

Let all bitterness, passion, anger, brawling, and abusive language be banished from among you, as well as all malice.

Take no part in deeds of Darkness, from which no good can come; on the contrary, expose them.

For everything that has its true character made manifest is clear as light. And that is why it is said--'Sleeper, awake! Arise from the dead, and the Christ shall give thee light!'

And submit to one another from reverence for him.

For the future, find strength in your union with the Lord, and in the power which comes from his might.