even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and without blemish before him in love;

to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved One,

which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,

making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in him

which he worked in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and made him to sit at his right hand in the heavenly places,

He put all things in subjection under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things for the church,

But God, being rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us,

that in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus;

For he is our peace, who made both one, and broke down the middle wall of partition,

having abolished in the flesh the hostility, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man of the two, making peace;

and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by which he put to death their enmity.

He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near.

how that by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as I wrote before in few words,

according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord;

that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, that you may be strengthened with power through his Spirit in the inward man;

Therefore he says, "When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."

Now this, "He ascended," what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.

He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, shepherds and teachers;

Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

Therefore he says, "Awake, you who sleep, and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,

that he might present the church to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.

knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things;

whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.