Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 229
EPHESIANS
This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of
Christ Jesus.
I am writing to God’s holy people in Ephesus, who are faithful followers
of Christ Jesus.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed
us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are
united with Christ. Even before he made the world, God loved us and
chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided
in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself
through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great
pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on
us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that
he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our
sins. He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and
understanding.
God has now revealed to us his mysterious will regarding Christ—which
is to fulfill his own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time he
will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything
in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ,
we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and
he makes everything work out according to his plan.
God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ
would bring praise and glory to God. And now you Gentiles have also
heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you
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