so that we would praise his glorious grace that he gave us in the Beloved One.

that he lavished on us, along with all wisdom and understanding,

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

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,

so that we who had already fixed our hope on the Messiah might live for his praise and glory.

I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah, the most glorious Father, would give you a wise spirit, along with revelation that comes through knowing the Messiah fully.

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,

He is far above every ruler, authority, power, dominion, and every name that can be named, not only in the present age, but also in the one to come.

that you once practiced as you lived according to the ways of this present world and according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now active in those who are disobedient.

so that in the coming ages he might display the limitless riches of his grace that comes to us through his kindness in the Messiah Jesus.

For we are God's masterpiece, created in the Messiah Jesus to perform good actions that God prepared long ago to be our way of life.

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.

For it is he who is our peace. Through his mortality he made both groups one by tearing down the wall of hostility that divided them.

That is why you are no longer strangers and foreigners but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household,

Surely you have heard about the responsibility of administering God's grace that was given to me on your behalf,

which in previous generations was not made known to human beings as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This is that secret:

I have become a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.

To me, the very least of all the saints, this grace was given so that I might proclaim to the gentiles the immeasurable wealth of the Messiah

and help everyone see how this secret that has been at work was hidden for ages by God, who created all things.

He did this so that now, through the church, the wisdom of God in all its variety might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realm

in keeping with the eternal purpose that God carried out through the Messiah Jesus our Lord,

I pray that he would give you, according to his glorious riches, strength in your inner being and power through his Spirit,

and that the Messiah would make his home in your hearts through faith. Then, having been rooted and grounded in love,

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

Now to the one who can do infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine according to the power that is working among us

I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, urge you to live in a way that is worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

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

Now what does this "he went up" mean except that he also had gone down into the lower parts of the earth?

The one who went down is the same one who went up above all the heavens so that all things would be fulfilled.

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,

However, that is not the way you came to know the Messiah.

The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy.

For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.

Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey.

for the fruit that the light produces consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

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

But everything that is exposed to the light becomes visible,

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.''

so that he might make it holy by cleansing it, washing it with water and the word,

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

""so that it may go well for you, and that you may have a long life on the earth."

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.

Masters, treat your slaves the same way. Do not threaten them, for you know that both of you have the same Master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Put on the whole armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the Devil's strategies.

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.

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.

I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.