|
Paul's Letter to
and to the Ephesians |
|
|
|
Chapter
1 |
|
Paul,
an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to
and to the saints who are at Ephesus, and the faithful in
Christ Jesus: 2Grace to
and peace from God,
's
Father and her Lord, Jesus Christ.
3Blessed be the God and Father of
's
Lord, Jesus Christ, who has blessed
with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in
Christ; even as He chose
in Him before the foundation of the world, that
would be holy and without blemish before Him in love; 5having
predestined
for adoption as a daughter through Jesus Christ to Himself,
according to the good pleasure of His desire, 6to the praise
of the glory of His grace, by which He freely bestowed favor
on
in the Beloved. 7In Him
has her redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of
's
trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, 8which
He made to abound toward
in all wisdom and prudence, 9making known to
the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure
which He purposed in
10to an administration of the fullness of the times, to
unite all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and
the things on the earth, in Him. 11In Him also
was assigned an inheritance, having been predestined according
to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel
of His will; 12in order that
should be to the praise of His glory, because she had before
hoped in Christ. 13In Him
,
having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of her
salvation, in whom, having believed,
was sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14who is a pledge
of
's
inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession,
to the praise of His glory. 15For this cause I also, having
heard of
's
faith in the Lord Jesus, and the love which
has toward all the saints, 16don't cease to give thanks
for her, making mention of her in my prayers, 17that the
God of
's
Lord, Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to
a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him;
18having the eyes of her heart enlightened, that
may know what is the hope of her calling, and what are the
riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19and
what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward
because she believes, according to the working of the strength
of His might 20which He worked in Christ, when He raised
Him from the dead, and made Him to sit at His right hand
in the heavenly places, 21far above all rule, and authority,
and power, and dominion, and every name that is named, not
only in this world, but also in that which is to come. 22He
put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him
to be head over all things to the church, 23which is His
body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every
way.
|
|
Chapter
2 |
|
was made alive when she was dead in her trespasses and sins,
2in which
once walked according to the course of this world, according
to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit who
now works in the daughters of disobedience; 3among whom
once lived in the lust of her flesh, doing the desires of
the flesh and of the mind, and was by nature a daughter
of wrath, even as the rest. 4But God, being rich in mercy,
for His great love with which He loved
,
5even when she was dead in her trespasses, made her alive
together with Christ (by grace
has been saved), 6and raised
up with Him, and made
to sit with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches
of His grace in kindness toward
in Christ Jesus. 8For by grace
has been saved through faith, and that not of herself; it
is the gift of God, 9not of works, so that
cannot boast. 10For
is His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God prepared before that
should walk in them.
11Therefore remember,
once was a Gentile in the flesh, called "uncircumcision"
by those who are called "circumcision," (made
in the flesh by hands); 12that she was at that time separated
from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel,
and a stranger from the covenants of the promise, having
no hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ
Jesus,
,
though she was once far off, is made near in the blood
of Christ. 14For He is
's
peace, who made both Gentile and Jew one, and broke down
the middle wall of partition, 15having abolished in the
flesh the hostility, the law of commandments and ordinances,
that He might create in Himself one new man from the two,
making peace; 16and might reconcile both in one body to
God through the cross, having thereby ended the hostility.
17He came and preached peace to
who was far off and to those who were near. 18For through
Him
has access by one Spirit to the Father. 19So then
is no longer a stranger and sojourner, but
is a fellow citizen with the saints, and of the household
of God, 20being built on the foundation of the apostles
and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the chief cornerstone;
21in whom the whole building, fitted together, grows into
a holy temple in the Lord; 22in whom
is built with others into a dwelling place of God in the
Spirit.
|
|
Chapter
3 |
|
For this cause I, Paul, am the prisoner of Christ Jesus
on behalf of
,
2if
has heard of the administration of the grace of God which
was given me for
;
3how by revelation the mystery was made known to me, as
I wrote briefly before, 4by which, when
reads, she can perceive my understanding in the mystery
of Christ; 5which in other generations was not made known
to the sons and daughters of men, as it has now been revealed
to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit;6that the
Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body,
and fellow partakers of His promise in Christ Jesus through
the gospel, 7of which I was made a servant, according to
the gift of God's grace which was given me by the working
of His power. 8To me, the very least of all saints, was
this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable
riches of Christ, 9and to make
see what is the fellowship of the mystery which for ages
has been hidden in God, who created all things through Jesus
Christ; 10to the intent that now through the church the
manifold wisdom of God might be made known to the principalities
and the powers in the heavenly places, 11according to the
eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus,
's
Lord; 12in whom
has boldness and confident access through her faith in Him.
13Therefore I ask that
not lose heart at my troubles for her, which is her glory.
14For this cause, I bow my knees to the Father of
's
Lord, Jesus Christ, 15from whom every family in heaven
and on earth is named, 16that He would grant
,
according to the riches of His glory, that
may be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the
inward woman; 17that Christ may dwell in
's
heart through faith; that she, being rooted and grounded
in love, 18may be strengthened to comprehend with all the
saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
19and to know Christ's love for her which surpasses knowledge,
that
may be filled to all the fullness of God. 20Now to Him who
is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that
can ask or think, according to the power that works in
,
21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all
generations forever and ever. Amen.
|
|
Chapter
4 |
|
I therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, beg
to walk worthy of the calling with which she was called,
2with all lowliness and humility, with longsuffering, bearing
with others in love; 3being eager to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body, and one
Spirit, even as
also was called in one hope of her calling; 5one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, 6one God and Father of
,
who is over
,
and through
,
and in
.
7But to
was the grace given according to the measure of the gift
of Christ. 8Therefore He says, "When He ascended on
high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men."
9Now this, "He ascended," what is it but that
He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?
10He who descended is the same One who ascended far above
all the heavens, that He might fill all things.
11He gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some,
evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12for the perfecting
of the saints, to the work of ministry, to the building
up of the body of Christ; 13until we all attain to the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to
a full grown woman, to the measure of the stature of the
fullness of Christ; 14that
may no longer be a child, tossed back and forth and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men,
in craftiness, after the wiles of error; 15but speaking
the truth in love,
may grow up in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ;
16from whom all the body, being fitted and knit together
through that which every joint supplies, according to the
effective working where each part does its share, causes
growth of the body for the building of itself up in love.
17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that
no longer walks as the rest of the Gentiles. They walk in
the futility of their minds, 18their understanding being
darkened, alienated from the life of God, because of the
ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their
hearts; 19who having become callous gave themselves up to
lust, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20But
did not learn Christ that way; 21if indeed
has heard Him, and has been taught by Him, as truth is in
Jesus: 22that
put away, as concerning her former way of life, the old
woman, that grows corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23and
that
be renewed in the spirit of her mind, 24and put on the new
woman, that like God has been created in true righteousness
and holiness.
25Therefore,
is to put away falsehood and speak truth with her neighbor.
For we are all members of one body. 26"
,
be angry, and don't sin."
must not let the sun go down on her wrath, 27neither is
she to give place to the devil. 28If
has stolen, let her steal no more; but rather let her labor,
working honestly with her hands, that
may have something to give to him who has need. 29Let no
corrupt speech proceed out of
's
mouth, but such as is good for building up according
to the needs of those who hear, that it may give them grace.
30
must not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom she was
sealed to the day of redemption. 31
is to put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling,
and slander with all malice. 32And
is to be kind to others, tenderhearted, forgiving others,
just as God also in Christ forgave
.
|
|
Chapter
5 |
|
Therefore, is to be an imitator of God, as a beloved
daughter. 2 is to walk in love, even as Christ also
loved , and gave Himself up for her, an offering and
a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance. 3But
sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,
let it not even be mentioned by , as is fitting among
the saints; 4 should not be a part of filthiness, or
foolish talking, or jesting, which are not appropriate;
but rather thanksgiving.
5Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral woman,
nor unclean woman, nor covetous woman, who is an idolater,
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6Let no one deceive with empty words. For because
of these things, the wrath of God comes on the daughters
of disobedience. 7Therefore must not be a partaker
with them. 8For was once full of darkness, but she
is now full of light in the Lord. is to walk as a
daughter of light 9for the fruit of the Spirit is goodness,
righteousness and truth, 10proving what is well-pleasing
to the Lord. 11 should have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather she should expose
them. 12For the things which are done by them in secret,
it is shameful even to speak of. 13But all things, when
they are exposed, are revealed by the light, for everything
that is revealed is light. 14Therefore He says, "Awake,
you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will
shine on you."
15Therefore, should watch carefully how she walks,
not as unwise, but as wise; 16redeeming the time, because
the days are evil. 17Therefore must not be foolish,
but she should understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 should not be drunk with wine, in which is an
abandoned life, but is to be filled with the Spirit,
19speaking to others in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs;
singing, and making melody in her heart to the Lord; 20
should always give thanks concerning all things in
the name of 's
Lord, Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father; 21subjecting
herself to others in the fear of Christ.
22 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.
23For the husband is the head of his wife, as Christ also
is the head of the church, being Himself the Savior of
the body. 24But as the church is subject to Christ, so
let wives also be to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the
church, and gave Himself up for her; 26that He might sanctify
her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with
the word, 27that He might present the church to Himself
gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing;
but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28Even
so husbands ought to love their own wives as their own
bodies. He who loves his wife, loves himself. 29For no
man hates his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it,
even as the Lord does the church; 30because we are members
of His body, of His flesh and bones. 31 "For this
cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will
be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh."
32This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ
and the church. 33Nevertheless, each man must love his
own wife as himself; and let the wife see that she respects
her husband.
|
|
Chapter
6 |
|
Children are to obey their parents in the Lord, for this
is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother," which
is the first commandment with a promise: 3 "that it
may be well with
,
and
may live long on the earth." 4
,
don't provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them
in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5
is to be obedient to those who are her earthly masters,
with fear and trembling, in singleness of her heart, as
to Christ; 6not serving only when eyes are on her, as men-pleasers;
but as a servant of Christ, doing the will of God from the
heart; 7with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and
not to men; 8knowing that whatever good thing
does, she will receive the same again from the Lord, whether
she is bound or free.
9
is to do the same things to those who serve her, and give
up threatening, knowing that He who is both their Master
and
's
is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
10Finally,
is to be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His
might. 11
is to put on the whole armor of God that she may be able
to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12For
's
wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against
the principalities, against the powers, against the rulers
of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts
of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore,
should put on the whole armor of God, that she may be able
to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.
14
must stand therefore, having the belt of truth buckled around
her waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15and having fitted her feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; 16above all, taking up the shield of faith,
with which
will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
17And
must take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God; 18with all prayer and
supplications, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being
watchful to this end in all perseverance and supplications
for all the saints: 19on my behalf, that utterance may be
given to me, that I may open my mouth and make known with
boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an
ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as
I ought to speak.
21But that you may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus,
the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will
make known to you all things; 22whom I have sent to you
for this very purpose, that you may know our state, and
that he may comfort your hearts.
23Peace be to
,
and love with faith, from God,
's
Father, and
's
Lord, Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with
who loves her Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptible love.
Amen.
|
|
If you find these scriptures to be a blessing, you will be
even more blessed by the Personal
Promise Bible. Click here
for detail or call us toll free at 1-866-YOURBIBLE (1-866-968-7242).
|
|
|
|