1 T his letter is from Paul. I am a missionary for Jesus Christ. God wanted me to work for Him. This letter is to those who belong to Christ in the city of Ephesus and to you who are faithful followers of Christ Jesus.

Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God's will, to the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus who are at Ephesus.

2 M ay you have loving-favor and peace from God our Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and Lord Jesus Christ.

3 L et us honor and thank the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has already given us a taste of what heaven is like.

Blessed the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenlies in Christ;

4 E ven before the world was made, God chose us for Himself because of His love. He planned that we should be holy and without blame as He sees us.

according as he has chosen us in him before world's foundation, that we should be holy and blameless before him in love;

5 G od already planned to have us as His own children. This was done by Jesus Christ. In His plan God wanted this done.

having marked us out beforehand for adoption through Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 W e thank God for His loving-favor to us. He gave this loving-favor to us through His much-loved Son.

to praise of glory of his grace, wherein he has taken us into favour in the Beloved:

7 B ecause of the blood of Christ, we are bought and made free from the punishment of sin. And because of His blood, our sins are forgiven. His loving-favor to us is so rich.

in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of offences, according to the riches of his grace;

8 H e was so willing to give all of this to us. He did this with wisdom and understanding.

which he has caused to abound towards us in all wisdom and intelligence,

9 G od told us the secret of what He wanted to do. It is this: In loving thought He planned long ago to send Christ into the world.

having made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself

10 T he plan was for Christ to gather us all together at the right time. If we are in heaven or still on earth, He will bring us together and will be head over all.

for administration of the fulness of times; to head up all things in the Christ, the things in the heavens and the things upon the earth; in him,

11 W e were already chosen to be God’s own children by Christ. This was done just like the plan He had.

in whom we have also obtained an inheritance, being marked out beforehand according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his own will,

12 W e who were the first to put our trust in Christ should thank Him for His greatness.

that we should be to praise of his glory who have pre-trusted in the Christ:

13 T he truth is the Good News. When you heard the truth, you put your trust in Christ. Then God marked you by giving you His Holy Spirit as a promise.

in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the glad tidings of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, ye have been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,

14 T he Holy Spirit was given to us as a promise that we will receive everything God has for us. God’s Spirit will be with us until God finishes His work of making us complete. God does this to show His shining-greatness. Paul’s Prayer for the Christians in Ephesus

who is earnest of our inheritance to the redemption of the acquired possession to praise of his glory.

15 I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all Christians.

Wherefore I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which in you, and the love which towards all the saints,

16 S ince then, I always give thanks for you and pray for you.

do not cease giving thanks for you, making mention at my prayers,

17 I pray that the great God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ may give you the wisdom of His Spirit. Then you will be able to understand the secrets about Him as you know Him better.

that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, would give you spirit of wisdom and revelation in the full knowledge of him,

18 I pray that your hearts will be able to understand. I pray that you will know about the hope given by God’s call. I pray that you will see how great the things are that He has promised to those who belong to Him.

being enlightened in the eyes of your heart, so that ye should know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,

19 I pray that you will know how great His power is for those who have put their trust in Him.

and what the surpassing greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the working of the might of his strength,

20 I t is the same power that raised Christ from the dead. This same power put Christ at God’s right side in heaven.

which he wrought in the Christ raising him from among dead, and he set him down at his right hand in the heavenlies,

21 T his place was given to Christ. It is much greater than any king or leader can have. No one else can have this place of honor and power. No one in this world or in the world to come can have such honor and power.

above every principality, and authority, and power, and dominion, and every name named, not only in this age, but also in that to come;

22 G od has put all things under Christ’s power and has made Him to be the head leader over all things of the church.

and has put all things under his feet, and gave him head over all things to the assembly,

23 T he church is the body of Christ. It is filled by Him Who fills all things everywhere with Himself.

which is his body, the fulness of him who fills all in all: