From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by God's will. To: His holy and faithful people in Ephesus who are in union with the Messiah Jesus.

so that we would praise his glorious grace that he gave us in the Beloved One.

In union with him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our offenses, according to the riches of God's grace

so that we who had already fixed our hope on the Messiah might live for his praise and glory.

God has put everything under the Messiah's feet and has made him the head of everything for the good of the church,

so that in the coming ages he might display the limitless riches of his grace that comes to us through his kindness in the Messiah Jesus.

For we are God's masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life.

So then, remember that at one time you gentiles by birth were called "the uncircumcised" by those who called themselves "the circumcised." They underwent physical circumcision done by human hands.

That is why you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household,

You, too, are being built in him, along with the others, into a place for God's Spirit to dwell.

Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God's grace that was given to me on your behalf,

which in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret:

I have become a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.

To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given so that I might proclaim to the gentiles the immeasurable wealth of the Messiah

and help everyone see how this secret that has been at work was hidden for ages by God, who created all things.

He did this so that now, through the church, the wisdom of God in all its variety might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm

So then, I ask you not to become discouraged because of my troubles on your behalf, which work toward your glory.

Now to each one of us grace has been given proportionate to the measure of the Messiah's gift.

The one who went down is the same one who went up above all the heavens so that all things would be fulfilled.

until all of us are united in the faith and in the full knowledge of God's Son, and until we attain mature adulthood and the full standard of development in the Messiah.

Then we will no longer be little children, tossed like waves and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, or by clever strategies that would lead us astray.

and to clothe yourselves with the new nature, which was created according to God's image in righteousness and true holiness.

The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy.

So be imitators of God, as his dear children.

So do not be partners with them.

So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise,

Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Indeed, just as the church is submissive to the Messiah, so wives must be submissive to their husbands in everything.

so that he might make it holy by cleansing it, washing it with water and the word,

""so that it may go well for you, and that you may have a long life on the earth."

Do not do this only while you're being watched in order to please them, but be like slaves of the Messiah, who are determined to obey God's will.

Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the Devil's strategies.

For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm.

Pray also for me, so that, when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel,

So that you may know what has happened to me and how I am doing, Tychicus, our dear brother and a faithful minister in service to the Lord, will tell you everything.

I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.