when he made known to us, I say, that good pleasure which he purposed in himself

for the government of the fulness of the ages, that all things in heaven and earth are alike should be gathered up in Christ, as Head.

that we who first hoped in Christ should be for the praise of his glory.

I am praying that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father most glorious, may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation, through an intimate knowledge of himself;

and that the eyes of your heart may be flooded with light so that you may understand what is the hope of his calling, what the wealth of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

and what the surpassing greatness of his might in us who believe, as seen in the energy of that resistless might

far above all hierarchies and authorities and powers and dominions and every name that is named, not only in this age but in that which is to come.

in order that he might show to the ages to come the amazing riches of his grace by his goodness to us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is God's gift.

It is not of works, so that any one can boast of it;

Do not forget then, that you Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "uncircumcision" by the "circumcision" made in flesh by man's hand,

because it is through him that we both have access in one spirit to the Father.

Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.

By reading what I have written, you can judge of my insight into that secret truth of Christ

namely, that in Christ Jesus the Gentiles form one body with us the Jews, and are coheirs and copartners in the promise, through the gospel.

To me, who am less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, that I should proclaim among the Gentiles the gospel of the unsearchable riches of Christ;

and should make all men see the new dispensation of that secret purpose, hidden from eternity in the God who founded the universe,

in order that now his manifold wisdom should, through the church, be made known to the principalities and powers in the heavenly sphere,

that Christ may make his home in your hearts through your faith; that you may be so deeply rooted and so firmly grounded in love,

that you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is "the breadth," "the length," "the depth," and "the height,"

and may know the love of Christ which transcends all knowing, so that you may be filled with all the "plenitude" of God.

Now unto him who, according to his might that is at work within us, is able to do infinitely more than all we ask or even think,

Now surely this "he ascended" implies that he also descended into the lower part of the earth.

He who descended is he who ascended above the highest heaven, that he might fill the universe.

having their understanding darkened, alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their hearts.

Let him who stole steal no more, but let him work, and in honest industry toil with his hands, so that he may have something to give to the needy.

For be well assured that no one guilty of fornication or impurity or covetousness which is idolatry, has any heritage in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no man deceive you with empty arguments, for it is these vices that bring down the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience;

For it is a shame even to speak of the things that are done by such men in secret;

See to it, then, that you carry on your life carefully; not as foolish, but as wise men.

in order that after cleansing her in the bath of baptism, he might sanctify her by his word,

That is how husbands ought to love their wives, as they love their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

because you know that whatever good any man does, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be slave or free man.

And you masters, show the same spirit to your slaves, and stop threatening them; for you know that your masters and theirs is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons with him.

Put on all the panoply of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground against the stratagems of the devil.

Therefore take up the panoply of God, so that when the evil day comes you may be able to withstand them, and having overthrown them all, to stand your ground.

and for me, that utterance may be given me to open my mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador,

and in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it boldly as I ought to speak.

But that you also may know my affairs and how I do, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may cheer your hearts.