Introduction

1 To Christ’s people at Ephesus who are faithful to him, from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God. 2 May God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ bless you and give you peace.

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3 Blessed is the God and Father of Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has blessed us on high with every spiritual blessing, in Christ. 4 For he chose us in our union with Christ before the creation of the universe, so that we might be holy and blameless in his sight, living in the spirit of love. 5 From the first he destined us, in his goodwill towards us, to be adopted as sons through Jesus Christ, 6 and so to enhance that glorious manifestation of his loving kindness which he gave us in the one he loves; 7 for in him, and through the shedding of his blood, we have found redemption in the pardon of our offences. 8 All this accords with the loving kindness which God lavished on us, accompanied by countless gifts of wisdom and discernment, 9 when he made known to us his hidden purpose. And it also accords with the goodwill which God purposed to exhibit in Christ, 10 in view of that divine order which was to mark the completion of the ages, when he should make everything, both in heaven and on earth, centre in him. 11 In him, I say, for by our union with him we became God’s heritage, having from the first been destined for this in the intention of him who, in all that happens, is carrying out his own fixed purpose; 12 that we should enhance his glory – we who have been the first to rest our hopes on the Christ. 13 And you, too, by your union with him, after you had heard the message of the truth, the good news of your salvation – you believed in him and were sealed as his by receiving the holy Spirit, which he had promised. 14 And the Spirit is a pledge of our future heritage, foreshadowing the full redemption of God’s own people – to enhance his glory.