And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

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

He did this when he revealed to us the secret of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ,

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

But God, being rich in mercy, because of his great love with which he loved us,

even though we were dead in transgressions, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you are saved! –

so that through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

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

When reading this, you will be able to understand my insight into this secret of Christ.

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

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

Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

And I pray this, that your love may abound even more and more in knowledge and every kind of insight

The whole imperial guard and everyone else knows that I am in prison for the sake of Christ,

The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, because they think they can cause trouble for me in my imprisonment.

But you know his qualifications, that like a son working with his father, he served with me in advancing the gospel.

with this goal in mind, I strive toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

And my God will supply your every need according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.