Even as he made selection of us in him from the first, so that we might be holy and free from all evil before him in love:

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,

So that his glory might have praise through us who first had hope in Christ:

So that we came back from death with him, and are seated with him in the heavens, in Christ Jesus;

Not by works, so that no man may take glory to himself.

For by his act we were given existence in Christ Jesus to do those good works which God before made ready for us so that we might do them.

That you were at that time without Christ, being cut off from any part in Israel's rights as a nation, having no part in God's agreement, having no hope, and without God in the world.

Having in his flesh put an end to that which made the division between us, even the law with its rules and orders, so that he might make in himself, of the two, one new man, so making peace;

And that the two might come into agreement with God in one body through the cross, so putting an end to that division.

So then you are no longer as those who have no part or place in the kingdom of God, but you are numbered among the saints, and of the family of God,

To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, was this grace given, so that I might make clear to the Gentiles the good news of the unending wealth of Christ:

And make all men see what is the ordering of the secret which from the first has been kept in God who made all things;

So that now to the rulers and the authorities in the heavens might be made clear through the church the wide-shining wisdom of God,

So that Christ may have his place in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and based in love,

May have strength to see with all the saints how wide and long and high and deep it is,

And to have knowledge of the love of Christ which is outside all knowledge, so that you may be made complete as God himself is complete.

To him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. So be it.

I then, the prisoner in the Lord, make this request from my heart, that you will see that your behaviour is a credit to the position which God's purpose has given you,

He who went down is the same who went up far over all the heavens so that he might make all things complete.)

So that we may be no longer children, sent this way and that, turned about by every wind of teaching, by the twisting and tricks of men, by the deceits of error;

This I say, then, and give witness in the Lord, that you are to go no longer in the way of the Gentiles whose minds are turned to that which has no profit,

And so, putting away false words, let everyone say what is true to his neighbour: for we are parts one of another.

Let him who was a thief be so no longer, but let him do good work with his hands, so that he may have something to give to him who is in need.

For this reason, then, do not be foolish, but be conscious of the Lord's pleasure.

And as the church is under Christ's authority, so let wives be under the rule of their husbands in all things.

So that he might make it holy, having made it clean with the washing of water by the word,

Even so it is right for husbands to have love for their wives as for their bodies. He who has love for his wife has love for himself:

But do you, everyone, have love for his wife, even as for himself; and let the wife see that she has respect for her husband.

So that all may be well for you, and your life may be long on the earth.

Not only under your master's eye, as pleasers of men; but as servants of Christ, doing the pleasure of God from the heart;

And, you masters, do the same things to them, not making use of violent words: in the knowledge that their Master and yours is in heaven, and he has no respect for a man's position.

Take up God's instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One.

For this reason take up all the arms of God, so that you may be able to be strong in the evil day, and, having done all, to keep your place.

For which I am a representative in chains, and that I may say without fear the things which it is right for me to say.

But so that you may have knowledge of my business, and how I am, Tychicus, the well-loved brother and tested servant in the Lord, will give you news of all things:

Whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, so that you may have knowledge of our position, and that he may give comfort to your hearts.