as a plan for the fullness of the times, to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth. In him

in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of his glory.

For this reason, ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

I do not cease giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers,

far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

And he put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things for the church,

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we would walk in them.

But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near in the blood of Christ.

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

And he came and preached peace to you who were far away, and peace to those who were near;

for through him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father.

For this reason I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles

assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you,

and to make plain to everyone the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things;

Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations for you, which are your glory.

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us,

to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

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

to equip the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ;

and they, having become callous, have given themselves over to sensuality, greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity.

Therefore, laying aside falsehood, each one of you must speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building others up according to the need of the moment, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

For of this you can be sure, that no immoral, impure, or covetous personsuch a man is an idolaterhas any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

for once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

For it is a shame even to speak of the things that they do in secret.

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

For this reason it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is himself the Savior.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh."

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and petition. And with this in view, keep alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

and also pray for me, that in the opening of my mouth, utterance may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.