It is in Him, and through the shedding of His blood, that we have our deliverance--the forgiveness of our offences--so abundant was God's grace,

for the government of the world when the times are ripe for it--the purpose which He has cherished in His own mind of restoring the whole creation to find its one Head in Christ; yes, things in Heaven and things on earth, to find their one Head in Him.

In Him we Jews have been made heirs, having been chosen beforehand in accordance with the intention of Him whose might carries out in everything the design of His own will,

And in Him you Gentiles also, after listening to the Message of the truth, the Good News of your salvation--having believed in Him--were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit;

For I always beseech the God of our Lord Jesus Christ--the Father most glorious--to give you a spirit of wisdom and penetration through an intimate knowledge of Him,

when He displayed it in Christ by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His own right hand in the heavenly realms,

God has put all things under His feet, and has appointed Him universal and supreme Head of the Church, which is His Body,

the completeness of Him who everywhere fills the universe with Himself.

raised us with Him from the dead, and enthroned us with Him in the heavenly realms as being in Christ Jesus,

because it is through Him that Jews and Gentiles alike have access through one Spirit to the Father.

in whom we have this bold and confident access through our faith in Him.

Now to Him who, in exercise of His power that is at work within us, is able to do infinitely beyond all our highest prayers or thoughts--

to Him be the glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, world without end! Amen.

But we shall lovingly hold to the truth, and shall in all respects grow up into union with Him who is our Head, even Christ.

Dependent on Him, the whole body--its various parts closely fitting and firmly adhering to one another-- grows by the aid of every contributory link, with power proportioned to the need of each individual part, so as to build itself up in a spirit of love.

if at least you have heard His voice and in Him have been taught--and this is true Christian teaching--

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.

And you masters, act towards your slaves on the same principles, and refrain from threats. For you know that in Heaven there is One who is your Master as well as theirs, and that merely earthly distinctions there are none with Him.

I have sent him to you for the very purpose--that you may know about us and that he may encourage you.