God predetermined that we should be [considered] His adopted children through [fellowship with] Christ. This is what pleased God and is what He wanted,

in doing what He intended through Christ, to make known to us His secret plan, according to what pleased Him.

It is in [fellowship with] Christ that we [Jewish Christians] also were selected as [God's] inheritance [i.e., to receive His never ending blessings], having been predetermined according to the plan of God, who works out everything in harmony with what He wants.

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 power unto us who believe, - according to the energy of the grasp of his might

among whom we also all once had our conversation in the lusts of our flesh, doing what the flesh and the thoughts willed to do, and were children, by nature, of wrath, even as the rest:

not as a result of [your] works [nor your attempts to keep the Law], so that no one will [be able to] boast or take credit in any way [for his salvation].

For He has made us what we are, because He has created us through our union with Christ Jesus for doing good deeds which He beforehand planned for us to do.

So, you Gentiles by birth should remember what you once were. You are called "Uncircumcision" by those who are called "Circumcision" [i.e., the Jews], (which refers to a physical procedure performed by people).

how the divine secret was disclosed to me by a revelation (if you read what I have already written briefly about this,

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

The gentiles are heirs-in-common, members-in-common of the body, and common participants in what was promised by the Messiah Jesus through the gospel.

And to bring to light - what is the administration of the sacred secret which had been hidden away from the ages in God, who did all things create:

So I ask you not to lose heart at my sufferings on your behalf, for they are your glory and honor.

In order that ye may be mighty enough to grasp firmly, with all the saints, - what is the breadth and length and depth and height,

and to know what is the love of Christ, which love passeth knowledge: that ye might be fulfilled with all manner of fullness which cometh of God.

and to Him who is able above all things to do exceeding abundantly what we ask or think, according to the power that is working in us,

Now this, He ascended; what is it, - save - that he also descended into the under parts of the earth?

from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.

So what I mean and insist upon in the Lord's name is this: You must no longer live like the heathen, with their frivolity of mind and darkened understanding.

But this is not the way you have learned what Christ means,

If in fact you gave ear to him, and were given teaching in him, even as what is true is made clear in Jesus:

Wherefore, stripping off what is false, be speaking truth each one with his neighbour, because we are members one of another;

The one who steals must steal no longer, but instead must labor, working with his own hands [what is] good, so that he may have [something] to share with the one who has need.

Let no evil talk come out of your mouth, but only what is good for giving necessary teaching, and for grace to those who give ear.

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;

and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are.

For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret.

but all these things, when exposed, are by the light made manifest, and what is made manifest is light.

for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:

Get up, sleeper, and rise up from the dead,
and the Messiah will shine on you.

For this cause, do not become foolish, but have discernment as to what is the will of the Lord;

Children, do what is ordered by your fathers and mothers in the Lord: for this is right.

Servants, do what is ordered by those who are your natural masters, having respect and fear for them, with all your heart, as to Christ;

Do not serve them only when you are being watched, just to gain their approval, but as slaves of Christ, doing what God wants from your heart.

And, the helmet of salvation, welcome ye, and the sword of the spirit, which is what God hath spoken,

In order, however, that, ye also, may know the things which relate to me - what I am accomplishing, - all things, shall Tychicus make known unto you, he the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord,

whom I sent unto you for the same purpose: that ye might know what case I stand in, and that he might comfort your hearts.