and to the praise of his glorious grace which he graciously bestowed upon us in the Beloved.

when he made known to us, I say, that good pleasure which he purposed in himself

For this reason I also, from the time when I heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which prevails among you, and your love to all the saints,

which he exercised in raising Christ from the dead, and in seating him at his right hand in the heavenly heights,

far above all hierarchies and authorities and powers and dominions and every name that is named, not only in this age but in that which is to come.

which is his body, the fulness of Him who fills the universe.

in which you passed your lives after the way of this world, under the sway of the Prince of the Powers of the Air, the spirit who is now working among the sons of disobedience.

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,

for we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good deeds, which God predestined us to make our daily way of life.

Thus he reconciled us both in one body to God by his cross, on which he slew our enmity.

which was not disclosed to the sons of men in former generations, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to his holy apostles and prophets,

according to his eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

and may know the love of Christ which transcends all knowing, so that you may be filled with all the "plenitude" of God.

I summon you then, I the prisoner in the Lord, to live lives worthy of the calling to which you were called.

You have learned to lay aside, with your former manner of living, the old self who was on his way to ruin, as he followed the desires which deceive;

For be well assured that no one guilty of fornication or impurity or covetousness which is idolatry, has any heritage in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Do not be drunk with wine, in which is riotous living, but drink deep in the Spirit,

because a husband is the head of his wife even as Christ is head of the church, his body, which he saves.

And take up to cover you the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the Evil One.

Take likewise the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

and for me, that utterance may be given me to open my mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador,