GetPassageurn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:49urn:cts:pbc:bible.parallel.eng.kingjames:49Paul , an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God , to the saints which are at Ephesus , and to the faithful in Christ Jesus : Grace be to you , and peace , from God our Father , and from the Lord Jesus Christ . Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ : According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world , that we should be holy and without blame before him in love : Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself , according to the good pleasure of his will , To the praise of the glory of his grace , wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved . In whom we have redemption through his blood , the forgiveness of sins , according to the riches of his grace ; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence ; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will , according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself : That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ , both which are in heaven , and which are on earth ; even in him : In whom also we have obtained an inheritance , being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will : That we should be to the praise of his glory , who first trusted in Christ . In whom ye also trusted , after that ye heard the word of truth , the gospel of your salvation : in whom also after that ye believed , ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise , Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession , unto the praise of his glory . Wherefore I also , after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus , and love unto all the saints , Cease not to give thanks for you , making mention of you in my prayers ; That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ , the Father of glory , may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him : The eyes of your understanding being enlightened ; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling , and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints , And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe , according to the working of his mighty power , Which he wrought in Christ , when he raised him from the dead , and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places , Far above all principality , and power , and might , and dominion , and every name that is named , not only in this world , but also in that which is to come : And hath put all things under his feet , and gave him to be the head over all things to the church , Which is his body , the fulness of him that filleth all in all . And you hath he quickened , who were dead in trespasses and sins ; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world , according to the prince of the power of the air , the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience : Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh , fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were by nature the children of wrath , even as others . But God , who is rich in mercy , for his great love wherewith he loved us , Even when we were dead in sins , hath quickened us together with Christ , ( by grace ye are saved ; ) And hath raised us up together , and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus : That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus . For by grace are ye saved through faith ; and that not of yourselves : it is the gift of God : Not of works , lest any man should boast . For we are his workmanship , created in Christ Jesus unto good works , which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them . Wherefore remember , that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh , who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands ; That at that time ye 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 : But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ . For he is our peace , who hath made both one , and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us ; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity , even the law of commandments contained in ordinances ; for to make in himself of twain one new man , so making peace ; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross , having slain the enmity thereby : And came and preached peace to you which were afar off , and to them that were nigh . For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father . Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners , but fellowcitizens with the saints , and of the household of God ; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets , Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone ; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord : In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit . For this cause I Paul , the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles , If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to youward : How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery ; ( as I wrote afore in few words , Whereby , when ye read , ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men , as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit ; That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs , and of the same body , and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel : Whereof I was made a minister , according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power . Unto me , who am less than the least of all saints , is this grace given , that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ ; And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery , which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God , who created all things by Jesus Christ : To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God , According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord : In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him . Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my tribulations for you , which is your glory . For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ , Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named , That he would grant you , according to the riches of his glory , to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man ; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith ; that ye , being rooted and grounded in love , May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth , and length , and depth , and height ; And to know the love of Christ , which passeth knowledge , that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God . Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think , according to the power that worketh in us , Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages , world without end . Amen . I therefore , the prisoner of the Lord , beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called , With all lowliness and meekness , with longsuffering , forbearing one another in love ; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace . There is one body , and one Spirit , even as ye are called in one hope of your calling ; One Lord , one faith , one baptism , One God and Father of all , who is above all , and through all , and in you all . But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ . Wherefore he saith , When he ascended up on high , he led captivity captive , and gave gifts unto men . ( Now that he ascended , what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth ? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens , that he might fill all things . ) And he gave some , apostles ; and some , prophets ; and some , evangelists ; and some , pastors and teachers ; For the perfecting of the saints , for the work of the ministry , for the edifying of the body of Christ : Till we all come in the unity of the faith , and of the knowledge of the Son of God , unto a perfect man , unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ : That we henceforth be no more children , tossed to and fro , and carried about with every wind of doctrine , by the sleight of men , and cunning craftiness , whereby they lie in wait to deceive ; But speaking the truth in love , may grow up into him in all things , which is the head , even Christ : From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth , according to the effectual working in the measure of every part , maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love . This I say therefore , and testify in the Lord , that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk , in the vanity of their mind , Having the understanding darkened , being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them , because of the blindness of their heart : Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness , to work all uncleanness with greediness . But ye have not so learned Christ ; If so be that ye have heard him , and have been taught by him , as the truth is in Jesus : That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man , which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts ; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind ; And that ye put on the new man , which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness . Wherefore putting away lying , speak every man truth with his neighbour : for we are members one of another . Be ye angry , and sin not : let not the sun go down upon your wrath : Neither give place to the devil . Let him that stole steal no more : but rather let him labour , working with his hands the thing which is good , that he may have to give to him that needeth . Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth , but that which is good to the use of edifying , that it may minister grace unto the hearers . And grieve not the holy Spirit of God , whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption . Let all bitterness , and wrath , and anger , and clamour , and evil speaking , be put away from you , with all malice : And be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted , forgiving one another , even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you . Be ye therefore followers of God , as dear children ; And walk in love , as Christ also hath loved us , and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour . But fornication , and all uncleanness , or covetousness , let it not be once named among you , as becometh saints ; Neither filthiness , nor foolish talking , nor jesting , which are not convenient : but rather giving of thanks . For this ye know , that no whoremonger , nor unclean person , nor covetous man , who is an idolater , hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God . Let no man deceive you with vain words : for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience . Be not ye therefore partakers with them . For ye were sometimes darkness , but now are ye light in the Lord : walk as children of light : ( For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth ; ) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord . And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness , but rather reprove them . For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret . But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light : for whatsoever doth make manifest is light . Wherefore he saith , Awake thou that sleepest , and arise from the dead , and Christ shall give thee light . See then that ye walk circumspectly , not as fools , but as wise , Redeeming the time , because the days are evil . Wherefore be ye not unwise , but understanding what the will of the Lord is . And be not drunk with wine , wherein is excess ; but be filled with the Spirit ; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs , singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord ; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ; Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God . Wives , submit yourselves unto your own husbands , as unto the Lord . For the husband is the head of the wife , even as Christ is the head of the church : and he is the saviour of the body . Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ , so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing . Husbands , love your wives , even as Christ also loved the church , and gave himself for it ; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word , That he might 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 . So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies . He that loveth his wife loveth himself . For no man ever yet hated his own flesh ; but nourisheth and cherisheth it , even as the Lord the church : For we are members of his body , of his flesh , and of his bones . For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother , and shall be joined unto his wife , and they two shall be one flesh . This is a great mystery : but I speak concerning Christ and the church . Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself ; and the wife see that she reverence her husband . Children , obey your parents in the Lord : for this is right . Honour thy father and mother ; ( which is the first commandment with promise ; ) That it may be well with thee , and thou mayest live long on the earth . And , ye fathers , provoke not your children to wrath : but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord . Servants , be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh , with fear and trembling , in singleness of your heart , as unto Christ ; Not with eyeservice , as menpleasers ; but as the servants of Christ , doing the will of God from the heart ; With good will doing service , as to the Lord , and not to men : Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth , the same shall he receive of the Lord , whether he be bond or free . And , ye masters , do the same things unto them , forbearing threatening : knowing that your Master also is in heaven ; neither is there respect of persons with him . Finally , my brethren , be strong in the Lord , and in the power of his might . Put on the whole armour of God , that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil . For we wrestle not against flesh and blood , but against principalities , against powers , against the rulers of the darkness of this world , against spiritual wickedness in high places . Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God , that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day , and having done all , to stand . Stand therefore , having your loins girt about with truth , and having on the breastplate of righteousness ; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace ; Above all , taking the shield of faith , wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked . And take the helmet of salvation , and the sword of the Spirit , which is the word of God : Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit , and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints ; And for me , that utterance may be given unto me , that I may open my mouth boldly , to make known the mystery of the gospel , For which I am an ambassador in bonds : that therein I may speak boldly , as I ought to speak . But that ye also may know my affairs , and how I do , Tychicus , a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord , shall make known to you all things : Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose , that ye might know our affairs , and that he might comfort your hearts . Peace be to the brethren , and love with faith , from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity . Amen .