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EPHESIANS
Ephesians 1:1-2
I am writing this to you people of God in Ephesus, asking that God will bless you.
WeshouldpraiseGodforhavingchosenandredeemedus, havingrevealedhisplantouniteallthingsunderChrist, andcausingChristtoruleoverallhispeople.
IthankGodforyourfaith, andpraythatyouwillunderstandmoreabouthow powerfully heworksonourbehalf, justlikehedidwhenhecaused Christ tobecomealiveagainandmadehimrulerovereverything.
Formerly we were all spiritually dead and were certain to be punished by God, but he acted very kindly toward us and saved us freely as a result of our faith in Christ.
GodbroughtyouGentilesintohisfamilysothatnowyouandJewish believers bothsharethesameblessingsandformonegroup; younowhavepeacewitheachotherandcancometoGodinprayerwiththehelpoftheHolySpirit.
I am in prison because God appointed me to tell non-Jews that Christ is the source of great spiritual blessings for them.
IpraythatGod’sSpiritwillempoweryou, thatyoumayexperiencehowmuch Christ lovesyou, andthatGodmaymakeyouallthatheintendsforyoutobe.
Conduct your lives in a way that shows that you are God’s people; do all that you can to keep all the believers united; and remember that Christ has given various abilities to each of his people, in order that you all may be united and grow spiritually and become like Christ.
Youshouldconductyourselvesinawaythat matches yournewlife; sostopdoingtheharmfulthingsthat unbelievers do, anddogoodthingstooneanother.
Imitate God, do everything in a way that shows love, and do not let anyone persuade you to live immorally, because God will punish those who disobey him.
Liverighteously, andexposetheevildeedsthatevilpeopledo, becausewhenyoudothat, thosepeoplewhodothoseevilthingswillcometoknowthetruth.
Instructionsabouthowwivesandhusbands, childrenandparents, andslavesandmastersshouldbehavetowardeachother.
AsyoualwaysrelyontheLordtostrengthenyou, makeuseofeveryspiritual resource thatGodprovidestoresistthe devil andallhispowerfulevilspirits.
Iamsending Tychicus totellyouwhatis happening hereandtoencourageyou. IpraythatGodwillgiveyoupeaceandloveforeachother, andthathewillcontinuetoactkindlytowardyouall.

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