for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.

I do not cease to give thanks for you when I remember you in my prayers.

that by revelation the divine secret was made known to me, as I wrote before briefly.

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

Now to him who by the power that is working within us is able to do far beyond all that we ask or think,

Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak – that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel,

among whom all of us also formerly lived out our lives in the cravings of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest…

for we are members of his body.

For he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world that we may be holy and unblemished in his sight in love.

For this reason I ask you not to lose heart because of what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called,

This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ.

In Christ we too have been claimed as God’s own possession, since we were predestined according to the one purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will

For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.

I became a servant of this gospel according to the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the exercise of his power.

So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you, so that you too may know about my circumstances, how I am doing.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!