11 Because of that, don’t forget that you all were once fleshly unbelievers (nicknamed ‘the uncircumcised ones’ by circumcised Yehudim (Jews) who mark the bodies of their males with human hands). 12 At that time you were separated from the citizens of Yisrael (Israel) and were strangers to the agreements involving God’s promise. You didn’t have any future hope as you lived in the world without knowing God.

13 But now thanks to Yeshua (Jesus; Grk. Yesus) the messiah, you all who were once far from God have become close by means of the messiah’s blood. 14 He is the source of peace between Yehudim and non-Jews, having broken the dividing wall that fenced them apart and making the two into one. He took the hostility onto himself, 15 having declared the old commands to be now void so that Yehudim and non-Jews can now be peaceably united.[ref] 16 By his death on the pole, any hostility is destroyed and both groups now become just one body in God’s sight.[ref] 17 When the messiah came, he announced the good message: peace to you all who were far from God, and peace also to the ones who were near,[ref] 18 so now both groups have access to the father by means of one spirit through the work of the messiah.

19 As a result, you all are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens of the believers and part of God’s household 20 which has been founded on the teaching of the missionaries and prophets. The cornerstone of this building is Yeshua the messiah. 21 He joins the entire building together, growing us all into a dedicated temple for Yahweh. 22 You all are being built together by following him, becoming a place for God’s spirit to live in.