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

just as [in His love] He chose us in Christ [actually selected us for Himself as His own] before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy [that is, consecrated, set apart for Him, purpose-driven] and blameless in His sight. In love

He predestined and lovingly planned for us to be adopted to Himself as [His own] children through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the kind intention and good pleasure of His will—

for appreciation of the glory of his grace, by which he blessed us in him who is beloved.

In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace

He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ,

The ordering of the times when they are complete, so that all things might come to a head in Christ, the things in heaven and the things on the earth; in him, I say,

In Him also we have received an inheritance [a destiny—we were claimed by God as His own], having been predestined (chosen, appointed beforehand) according to the purpose of Him who works everything in agreement with the counsel and design of His will,

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.

In Him, you also, when you heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and [as a result] believed in Him, were stamped with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit [the One promised by Christ] as owned and protected [by God].

which is the earnest of our inheritance, until the final redemption, acquired by him, come, to the praise of his glory.

[I always pray] that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation [that gives you a deep and personal and intimate insight] into the true knowledge of Him [for we know the Father through the Son].

And the transcendent greatness of the power which he is able to exercise in dealing with us who believe in him.

which he energised in the Christ, when he raised him from among the dead, and seated him at his right hand in the heavenlies,

above all the angelic Rulers, Authorities, Powers, and Lords, above every Name that is to be named not only in this age but in the age to come ??22 he has put everything under his feet and set him as head over everything for the church,

And did put, all things, in subjection beneath his feet. And gave him to be head over all things unto the assembly,

Which, indeed, is his body, the fulness of him who, the all things in all, is for himself filling up.

even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace—His undeserved favor and mercy—you have been saved from God’s judgment).

And He raised us up together with Him [when we believed], and seated us with Him in the heavenly places, [because we are] in Christ Jesus,

for of Him we are workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God did before prepare, that in them we may walk.

remember that at that time you were separated from Christ [excluded from any relationship with Him], alienated from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise [with no share in the sacred Messianic promise and without knowledge of God’s agreements], having no hope [in His promise] and [living] in the world without God.

But now [that you are] in [fellowship with] Christ, you [Gentiles], who were once far away [from God], have been brought near [to Him] through the blood of Christ.

And Christ came and preached peace to you [Gentiles], who were far away [from God], and peace to those [Jews] who were near [to Him].

Because, through him, we have our introduction - we both - in one Spirit, unto the Father.

in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].

In Him [and in fellowship with one another] you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

In whom we have our freedom of speech and introduction with assurance, through the faith of him; -

praying him to grant you according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in your inmost being;

Now, unto him who is able to do, above all things, exceeding abundantly above the things which we ask or conceive, - according to the power which doth energise itself within us, -

Unto him, be the glory, in the assembly, and in Christ Jesus - unto all the generations of the age of ages; Amen: -

For this reason he says, He went up on high, taking his prisoners with him, and gave freely to men.

until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity].

But, pursuing truth - may, in love, grow into him in all things, - who is the head, Christ, -

From Him the whole body [the church, in all its various parts], joined and knitted firmly together by what every joint supplies, when each part is working properly, causes the body to grow and mature, building itself up in [unselfish] love.

But ye have not so learned Christ; Since ye have heard him,

If, at least, it is, him, ye have heard, and, in him, ye have been taught - even as truth is in Jesus, -

And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].

Let, the stealer, no more, steal, but rather let him be toiling, - working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have wherewith to be giving away to him that hath need;

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].

Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];

and walk in love, as the Christ also loved us, and gave him self for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet odor.

For be well assured that no fornicator or immoral person and no money-grubber--or in other words idol-worshipper--has any share awaiting him in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

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.

trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation].

giving thanks at all times for all things to him who is God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

And submit to one another from reverence for him.

for a husband is the head of his wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, which is his body, and is saved by him.

to consecrate her, after cleansing her with the bath in water through her confession of him,

in order to have the church as his very own, standing before him in all her glory, with never a spot or wrinkle or any such flaw, but consecrated and unblemished.

However, each man among you [without exception] is to love his wife as his very own self [with behavior worthy of respect and esteem, always seeking the best for her with an attitude of lovingkindness], and the wife [must see to it] that she respects and delights in her husband [that she notices him and prefers him and treats him with loving concern, treasuring him, honoring him, and holding him dear].

And ye masters, the same things, be doing towards them, forbearing your threat - knowing that, both their and your Master, is in the heavens, and, respect of persons, there is none, with him.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.

For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

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