From: Paul, an apostle of the Messiah Jesus by God's will. To: His holy and faithful people in Ephesus who are in union with the Messiah Jesus.

he predestined us for adoption to himself through Jesus the Messiah, according to the pleasure of his will,

when he made known to us the secret of his will. This was according to his plan that he set forth in the Messiah

Then, with the eyes of your hearts enlightened, you will know the confidence that is produced by God having called you, the rich glory that is his inheritance among the saints,

By reading this, you will be able to grasp my understanding of the secret about the Messiah,

you will be able to understand, along with all the saints, what is wide, long, high, and deep

that is, you will know the love of the Messiah which transcends knowledge, and will be filled with all the fullness of God.

Then we will no longer be little children, tossed like waves and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people's trickery, or by clever strategies that would lead us astray.

Instead, by speaking the truth in love, we will grow up completely and become one with the head, that is, one with the Messiah,

Let no filthy talk be heard from your mouths, but only what is good for building up people and meeting the need of the moment. This way you will administer grace to those who hear you.

for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says, "Wake up, sleeper! Arise from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.''

Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit.

Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts;

you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah;

and you will submit to one another out of reverence for the Messiah.

"That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

Do not do this only while you're being watched in order to please them, but be like slaves of the Messiah, who are determined to obey God's will.

because you know that everyone will receive a reward from the Lord for whatever good he has done, whether he is a slave or free.

For this reason, take up the whole armor of God so that you may be able to take a stand whenever evil comes. And when you have done everything you could, you will be able to stand firm.

In addition to having clothed yourselves with these things, having taken up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one,

Pray also for me, so that, when I begin to speak, the right words will come to me. Then I will boldly make known the secret of the gospel,

So that you may know what has happened to me and how I am doing, Tychicus, our dear brother and a faithful minister in service to the Lord, will tell you everything.