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.

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,

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].

God has made us what we are, creating us in Christ Jesus for the good deeds which are prepared beforehand by God as our sphere of action.

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,

And, by reading what I have written, you will be able to judge how far I understand this hidden purpose of God in 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 make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

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

May be able to comprehend with all 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 that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower 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.

That is not the way you have been taught 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:

And so, putting away false words, let everyone say what is true to his neighbour: for we are parts one of another.

Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him toil, working what is honest with his hands, that he may have to distribute to him that has need.

Let no corrupt word out of your mouth go forth, but what is good unto the needful building up, that it may give grace to the hearers;

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,

Proving what is acceptable 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.

Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

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,

But in order that ye also may know what concerns me, how I am getting on, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make all things known to you;

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.