It is not of works, so that any one can boast of it;

His, in fact we are - his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus upon a footing of good works, which God prepared beforehand, that, therein, we might walk.

Wherefore, keep in remembrance - that, at one time, ye, the nations in flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by the so-called Circumcision in flesh, made by hand,

That ye were, in that season, separate from Christ, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and godless in the world;

But now in Christ Jesus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Christ.

For he is our peace, which hath made of both one, and hath broken down the wall in the midst, that was a stop between us,

The enmity, in his flesh - the law of commandments in decrees - bringing to nought, - that, the two, he might create in himself, into one man of new mould, making peace.

And that the two might come into agreement with God in one body through the cross, so putting an end to that division.

And, coming, he announced the glad-message - of peace, unto you, the far off, and peace, unto them that were nigh;

For it is through Him that we both have a [direct] way of approach in one Spirit to the Father.

Take notice then that no longer are you strangers and foreigners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household.

you are a building that rests on the apostles and prophets as its foundation, with Christ Jesus as the cornerstone;

For this reason [because I preach that you and believing Jews are joint heirs] I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles—

assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was entrusted to me [to share with you] for your benefit;

How that, by way of revelation, was made known unto me the sacred secret, - even as I before wrote in brief, -

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

which in other generations was not made known to men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be co-heirs,

That they who are of the nations should be joint heirs, and a joint body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through means of the glad-message, -

Of which I became a helper according to the gift of that grace of God, which was given to me according to the working of his power.

Unto me - the less than least of all saints, was given this favour, unto the nations, to announce the glad-message of the untraceable riches of the Christ,

and should make all men see the new dispensation of that secret purpose, hidden from eternity in the God who founded the universe,

In order that now, unto the principalities and the authorities in the heavenlies, might be made known, through means of the assembly, the manifold wisdom of God, -

in pursuance of that dispensation which he made to former ages by Christ Jesus our Lord:

by whom we are bold to draw nigh in that trust, which we have by faith on him.

Wherefore I request, that there be no fainting in my tribulations in your behalf, the which is your glory; -

This is the reason that I bow my knees [in prayer] to the Father,

from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name [God—the first and ultimate Father].

In order that he may give unto you - according to his glorious riches, with power, to be strengthened, through his Spirit, in the inner man,

That the Christ may dwell, through means of your faith, in your hearts, in love, having become rooted and founded,

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,

To get to know, also, the knowledge-surpassing, love of the Christ, - in order that ye may be filled unto all the fulness of God:

Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,

So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation],

diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us.

There is one body [of believers] and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when called [to salvation]—

That is why God says, "When he went up to the highest place, he led captives into captivity and gave gifts to people."

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

He that descended, he, it is who also ascended over-above all the heavens, that he might fill all things;

It is he then that made some, apostles: some, prophets: some, evangelists: and others, pastors, and teachers:

[and He did this] to fully equip and perfect the saints (God’s people) for works of service, to build up the body of Christ [the church];

until we all reach oneness in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, [growing spiritually] to become a mature believer, reaching to the measure of the fullness of Christ [manifesting His spiritual completeness and exercising our spiritual gifts in unity].

That we may, no longer, be infants - billow-tossed and shifted round with every wind of teaching, - in the craft of men, in knavery suited to the artifice of error;

But let us follow the truth in love, and in all things grow in him which is the head, that is to say Christ,

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

This, therefore, am I saying and protesting in the Lord: - that, no longer, ye walk even as, the nations, walk - in the vanity of their minds,

Being darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God - by reason of the ignorance that existeth within them, by reason of their hearts being turned into stone,

And they, [the ungodly in their spiritual apathy], having become callous and unfeeling, have given themselves over [as prey] to unbridled sensuality, eagerly craving the practice of every kind of impurity [that their desires may demand].

But that is not how you learned about the Messiah,

If in fact you have [really] heard Him and have been taught by Him, just as truth is in Jesus [revealed in His life and personified in Him],

That ye were to strip off - as regardeth the former behaviour - the old man, who corrupteth himself according to his deceitful covetings,

and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Let, the stealer, no more, steal, but rather let him be toiling, - working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have wherewith to be giving away to him that hath need;

Let, no putrid discourse, out of your mouth, be going forth, but if anything is good - suited to the needful upbuilding, - that it may give benefit unto them that hear;

And do not grieve God's Holy Spirit; for it was through that Spirit that God sealed you as his, against the Day of Redemption.

and walk continually in love [that is, value one another—practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others], just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God [slain for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance.

So that fornication, and all uncleanness or covetousness, be not once named among you, as it becometh saints:

There must be no indecency or foolish or scurrilous talk??ll that is unbecoming. There should be thanksgiving instead.

For, this, ye know, if ye take note - that no fornicator, or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of the Christ and God.

Let no man deceive you with empty arguments, for it is these vices that bring down the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience;

For you at one time were dark, but now are light in the Lord: let your behaviour be that of children of light

for the product of light consists in practicing everything that is good and right and true;

Accept that which is pleasing to the Lord,

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

for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that such people practice in secret.

All things, however, when reproved by the light, become manifest, for, all that of itself maketh manifest, is, light;

Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

See to it, then, that you carry on your life carefully; not as foolish, but as wise men.

Do not get drunk with wine, for that is wickedness (corruption, stupidity), but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit and constantly guided by Him.

for the husband presides over his wife, as Christ presides over the church: and he it is that preserves the whole body.

That, her, he might sanctify, having purified her with the bath of water, in declaration,

That, he, might present, unto himself, the assembly, all glorious, not having spot or wrinkle or any of such things, but that she should be holy and blameless;

So, ought the husbands also to be loving their own wives, as their own bodies, - he that loveth his own wife, loveth himself,

Therefore, a man must leave his father and mother and so perfectly unite himself to his wife that the two shall be one.

This is a profound mystery; but I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.

Nevertheless, ye also, do ye, individually, each man be so loving, his own wife, as himself, and, the wife, see that she reverence her husband.

Children, as Christians obey your parents, for that is right.

"Honour thy father and mother," that is the first commandment that hath any promise,

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

Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

with good-will, as serving the Lord rather than men:

Knowing that, each one, whatsoever he may do that is good, the same, shall he receive back from the Lord, whether bond or free.

And ye masters, the same things, be doing towards them, forbearing your threat - knowing that, both their and your Master, is in the heavens, and, respect of persons, there is none, with him.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.

Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

For our contest is not with human foes alone, but with the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world; that is, with the spirit-forces of evil challenging us in the heavenly contest.

For this cause, take up the complete armour of God, in order that ye may receive power to withstand in the evil day, and, all things, having accomplished, to stand!

by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace,

And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

And on behalf of me; - that, unto me, may be given discourse in the opening of my mouth, with freedom of utterance, to make known the sacred secret of the glad-message

In behalf of which I am conducting an embassy in chains, that, therein, I may use freedom of utterance as it is needful for me to speak.

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 have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may get to know the things concerning us, and he may encourage your hearts.

Favour be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptness.

the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the christians that are at Philippi, to the bishops, and to the deacons.

Every recollection that I have of you is a cause of thankfulness to God,

Always, in every prayer that I offer for you all--my prayers are full of joy--

from the first day to the present time. being persuaded that

Being persuaded of this very thing - that, he who hath begun in you a good work, will perfect it, until the day of Jesus Christ;