3:1 | For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- |
3:2 | Surely you have heard about the administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, |
3:3 | that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. |
3:4 | In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, |
3:5 | which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. |
3:6 | 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. |
3:7 | I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. |
3:8 | Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, |
3:9 | and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. |
3:10 | 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, |
3:11 | according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
3:12 | In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. |
3:13 | I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. |
3:14 | For this reason I kneel before the Father, |
3:15 | from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. |
3:16 | I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, |
3:17 | so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, |
3:18 | may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, |
3:19 | and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. |
3:20 | 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, |
3:21 | to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. |
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