Ephesians
3
- For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of
Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles --
- Surely you have heard about the administration
of God's grace that was given to me for you,
- that is, the mystery made known to me by
revelation, as I have already written briefly.
- In reading this, then, you will be able to
understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
- which was not made known to men in other
generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles
and prophets.
- This mystery is that through the gospel the
Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and
sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
- I became a servant of this gospel by the
gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.
- Although I am less than the least of all
God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ,
- and to make plain to everyone the administration
of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all
things.
- His intent was that now, through the church,
the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities
in the heavenly realms,
- according to his eternal purpose which he
accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- In him and through faith in him we may approach
God with freedom and confidence.
- I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged
because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
- For this reason I kneel before the Father,
- from whom his whole family in heaven and
on earth derives its name.
- I pray that out of his glorious riches he
may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
- so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through
faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
- may have power, together with all the saints,
to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
- and to know this love that surpasses knowledge
-- that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
- Now to him who is able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within
us,
- to him be glory in the church and in Christ
Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
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