in union with whom we were made God's portion, since we had been foreordained in accordance with the purpose of Him who in everything carries out the plan of His will,

You too were dead because of the shortcomings and sins

once lived while gratifying the cravings of our lower nature, as we continued to carry out the impulses of our lower nature and its thoughts, and by nature we were exposed to God's wrath, as the rest of mankind.

So remember that you were once heathen in a physical sense, called the uncircumcised by those who call themselves the circumcised -- though only in a physical sense, by human hands.

At that time you were without any connection with Christ; you were aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the sacred compacts made by God's promise, with no hope, and no God in the world.

But now through your union with Christ Jesus you who were once far away have through the blood of Christ been brought near.

When He came, He brought the good news of peace for you who were far away and for you who were near;

For at one time you were darkness itself, but now in union with the Lord you are light itself. You must live like children of light,

not serving them as though they were watching you, but as true slaves of Christ, trying to carry out the will of God.

Heartily and cheerfully keep on working as slaves, as though it were for the Lord and not for men,