• God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

  • 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—
  • 2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
  • 3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
  • 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
  • 5 which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
  • 6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
  • 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.
  • 8 Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,
  • 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
  • 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
  • 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  • 12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
  • 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

  • A Prayer for the Ephesians

  • 14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
  • 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
  • 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
  • 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
  • 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
  • 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
  • 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
  • 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.