in which you once lived in accordance with the spirit of this present world, and the mighty prince of the air, who is always at work in the disobedient, among whom all of us, we Jews as well as you heathen,

Among these [unbelievers] we all once lived in the passions of our flesh [our behavior governed by the sinful self], indulging the desires of human nature [without the Holy Spirit] and [the impulses] of the [sinful] mind. We were, by nature, children [under the sentence] of [God’s] wrath, just like the rest [of mankind].

"that the Gentiles should be heirs as well as the Jews, make one body together, and partake of the divine promise in Christ by the gospel."

from whom the whole body, well put together and compacted by means of every supplying joint, is, according to the working of each part in its proportion, building itself up in love.

Banish from among you all bitterness and passion and anger and clamor and slander, as well as all malice;

Therefore become imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father];

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.

For you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,??9 for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,??10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord,

Putting to the test what is well-pleasing unto the Lord;

thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise) That it may be well with thee,

That it may come to be, well with thee, and thou shalt be long-lived upon the land.

You well know that whatever right thing any one does, he will receive a requital for it from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a free man.

And you masters, act towards your slaves on the same principles, and refrain from threats. For you know that in Heaven there is One who is your Master as well as theirs, and that merely earthly distinctions there are none with Him.

as well as the shoes of the Good News of peace-- a firm foundation for your feet.

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: