In the Messiah we were also chosen when we were predestined according to the purpose of the one who does everything that he wills to do,

You, too, have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed in the Messiah, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

Indeed, all of us once behaved like them in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of our flesh and senses. By nature we were destined for wrath, just like everyone else.

even when we were dead because of our offenses, made us alive together with the Messiah (by grace you have been saved),

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.

At that time you were without the Messiah, excluded from citizenship in Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise. You had no hope and were in the world without God.

But now, in union with the Messiah Jesus, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

He came and proclaimed peace for you who were far away and for you who were near.

There is one body and one Spirit. Likewise, you were called to the one hope of your calling.

Regarding your former way of life, you were taught to strip off your old nature, which is being ruined by its deceptive desires,

Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption.

For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,

Serve willingly, as if you were serving the Lord and not merely people,