Ephesians 2
"As for you, you
were dead in your transgressions and sins,
2 in which you
used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the
ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those
who are disobedient.
3 All of us also
lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and
following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving
of wrath.
4 But because of HIS
great love for us, GOD,
WHO IS RICH IN MERCY,
5 made us alive
with CHRIST
even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by GRACE you have been saved.
6 And GOD
raised us up with CHRIST and
seated us with HIM in the heavenly realms in CHRIST JESUS,
7 in order that in
the coming ages HE might show THE INCOMPARABLE RICHES OF HIS GRACE, expressed in HIS KINDNESS to
us in CHRIST JESUS.
8 For it is by GRACE you have
been saved, through FAITH—and
this is not from yourselves, it is THE GIFT OF GOD—
9 not by
works, so that no one can boast.
10 For we are GOD’s
handiwork, created in CHRIST JESUS to do good works, which GOD prepared in
advance for us to do.
11 Therefore,
remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called
“uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done
in the body by human hands)—
12 remember that at
that time you were separate from CHRIST, excluded from citizenship in Israel and
foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without HOPE and without
GOD in the
world.
13 But now in CHRIST JESUS you who
once were far away have been brought near by the blood of CHRIST.
14 For HE HIMSELF IS OUR PEACE, WHO
has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing
wall of hostility,
15 by setting aside
in HIS flesh the law with its commands and regulations. HIS purpose
was to create in HIMSELF one new humanity out of the two, thus making PEACE,
16 and in one body
to reconcile both of them to GOD through the cross, by which HE put to death their
hostility.
17 HE came and
preached PEACE to
you who were far away and PEACE
to those who were near.
18 For THROUGH HIM WE BOTH HAVE ACCESS
TO THE FATHER BY ONE SPIRIT.
19 Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with GOD’s people and also
members of HIS household,
20 built on
the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with CHRIST JESUS HIMSELF as
the CHIEF CORNERSTONE.
21 In HIM the whole
building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in THE LORD.
22 And in HIM you
too are being built together to become a dwelling in which GOD lives by HIS
SPIRIT."
