Ephesians

___Ephesians chapter 1 1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus, 2 Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ, 4 Since he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, so that we would be holy and without blame before him in love, 5 Having chosen us beforehand to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, in which he has made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace, 8 In which he has given us an abundance of all wisdom and prudence, 9 Having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he has purposed in himself, 10 So that in the dispensation of the fullness of times he would gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him, 11 In whom we have also obtained an inheritance, being chosen beforehand, according to the purpose of him who works all things after the counsel of his own will, 12 So that we would be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of his glory. 15 So I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love to all the saints, 16 Don't stop giving thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, 17 So that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, will give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 The eyes of your understanding being illuminated, so that you'll know what is the hope of his calling, and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he accomplished in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come, 22 And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.

___Ephesians chapter 2 1 And he has made you alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 That you walked in, in the past, according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience, 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in the past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature the children of anger, like others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love with which he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, has made us alive together with Christ, (by grace you are saved,) 6 And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 So that in the ages to come he would show the great riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you're saved through faith, and not faith of yourselves, it is the gift of God, 9 Not of works, so that no man will boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to good works, which God has appointed beforehand for us to walk in them. 11 So, remember that you, being in the past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands, 12 That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world, 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us, 15 Having abolished in his flesh the hostility, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances, to make in himself from two, one new man, so making peace, 16 And so that he would reconcile both to God in one body by the cross, having killed the hostility by that means, 17 And came and preached peace to you who were far off, and to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now therefore you're no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, 20 And have been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the main cornerstone, 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together grows up to a holy temple in the Lord, 22 In whom you also are built together for a house of God through the Spirit.

___Ephesians chapter 3 1 For this cause I, Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles, 2 If you've heard of the dispensation of the grace of God that has been given to me for you, 3 How by revelation he made known to me the mystery, (as I wrote before in few words, 4 So that when you read, you'll understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 Which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it is now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, 6 So that the Gentiles would be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel, 7 Of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given to me by the effective working of his power. 8 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, has this grace been given, so that I would preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world has been hidden in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ, 10 So that now to the principalities and powers in heavenly places would be known by the church the multifaceted wisdom of God, 11 According to the eternal purpose that he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, 12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. 13 So I desire that you don't faint at my tribulations for you, which is your glory. 14 For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 So that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man, 17 So that Christ will live in your hearts by faith, so that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 Will be able to understand with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, 19 And to know the love of Christ, that passes knowledge, so you'll be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him that is able to do far above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 To him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

___Ephesians chapter 4 1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, ask you please to walk worthy of the vocation with which you're called, 2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, patient with each other in love, 3 Trying to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, just as you are called in one hope of your calling, 5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But grace has been given to every one of us, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 So he says, "When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, so that he would fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles, and some, prophets, and some, evangelists, and some, pastors and teachers, 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ, 13 Until we all come to be united in the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 So that from now on, we won't anymore be children, tossed back and forth, and carried around by every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, by which they wait in ambush to deceive, 15 But speaking the truth in love, will grow up into him in all things, who is the head, who is Christ, 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effective working in the measure of every part, makes increase of the body to the building up of itself in love. 17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that from now on, don't walk like other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts, 19 Who being past feeling, have given themselves over to lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But that's not the Christ you've learned, 21 If you've heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 That you put off concerning the former lifestyle the old man, that is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 And that you put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 So, putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor, for we are members of each other. 26 Don't be angry, and don't sin, don't let the sun go down on your anger, 27 And don't give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more, but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, so that he'll have something to give to the needy. 29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, so that it will minister grace to the hearers. 30 And don't grieve the holy Spirit of God, by which you're sealed until the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all hatred, 32 And be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, like God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.

___Ephesians chapter 5 1 Therefore be followers of God, like dear children, 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling odor. 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as is right for saints, 4 Nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor kidding around, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this you know, that no customer of prostitutes, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive you with vain words, for because of these things the anger of God comes on the children of disobedience. 7 Therefore, don't be partakers with them. 8 For you were sometimes darkness, but now you're light in the Lord, walk like children of light, 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,) 10 Proving what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather correct them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak about the things that are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made clear by the light, for whatever makes clear is light. 14 So he says, "Awake you who sleeps, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give you light." 15 Make sure then that you conduct yourselves looking in all directions, not like fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 So don't be unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And don't be drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 Giving thanks always for all things to God the Father, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 Submitting yourselves to each other in the fear of God. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, like to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the church, and he is the savior of the body. 24 Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, like Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it, 26 So that he would sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 So that he would present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 Men ought to love their wives like their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, like the Lord does with the church, 30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For this reason shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and the two of them shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Anyway, let every one of you in particular love his wife like himself, and the wife see that she respects her husband.

___Ephesians chapter 6 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother, (which is the first commandment with promise,) 3 So that it will be well with you, and so you'll live long on the earth. 4 And you fathers, don't provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5 Servants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, like to Christ, 6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 With good will doing service, like to the Lord, and not to men, 8 Knowing that whatever good thing any man does, he'll receive the same from the Lord, whether he's a bondman or free. 9 And you masters, do the same things to them, without threatening, knowing that your Master also is in heaven, nor is there respect of persons with him. 10 Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so you'll be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we don't wrestle against flesh and blood, but against princedoms, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against wicked spirits in high places. 13 So, take to yourselves the whole armor of God, so you'll be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins clothed with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 And for shoes, the preparation of the gospel of peace, 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which you'll be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and staying awake regarding that, with all perseverance and supplication for all saints, 19 And for me, that a way to speak will be given to me, so that I can open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds, so that in it I can speak boldly, as I ought to speak. 21 But so that you'll also know my affairs, and how I'm doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things, 22 Whom I have sent to you for the same purpose, so that you'll know our affairs, and so he'll comfort your hearts. 23 Peace be to the bothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

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