so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, would be to the praise of his glory.

to equip the saints for the work of ministry, that is, to build up the body of Christ,

He did this by predestining us to adoption as his sons through Jesus Christ, according to the pleasure of his will –

who is the down payment of our inheritance, until the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of his glory.

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

until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God – a mature person, attaining to the measure of Christ’s full stature.

to the praise of the glory of his grace that he has freely bestowed on us in his dearly loved Son.

that he lavished on us in all wisdom and insight.

In him the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord,

in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.

Because they are callous, they have given themselves over to indecency for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness.

if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

Therefore it says, “When he ascended on high he captured captives; he gave gifts to men.”

Now what is the meaning of “he ascended,” except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth?

But practicing the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ, who is the head.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

toward the administration of the fullness of the times, to head up all things in Christ – the things in heaven and the things on earth.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

and what is the incomparable greatness of his power toward us who believe, as displayed in the exercise of his immense strength.