4 For he chose usi in him before the creation of the worldj to be holy and blamelessk in his sight. In lovel 5 heb predestinedm us for adoption to sonshipc n through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasureo and will—6 to the praise of his glorious grace,p which he has freely given us in the One he loves.q 7 In him we have redemptionr through his blood,s the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the richest of God’s grace 8 that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9 hed made known to us the mysteryu of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposedv in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillmentw—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.x

11 In him we were also chosen,e having been predestinedy according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purposez of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.a 13 And you also were included in Christb when you heard the message of truth,c the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,d the promised Holy Spirit,e 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritancef until the redemptiong of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.h

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesusi and your love for all God’s people,j 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,k remembering you in my prayers.l 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,m may give you the Spiritf of wisdomn and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightenedo in order that you may know the hope to which he has calledp you, the richesq of his glorious inheritancer in his holy people,s 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That powert is the same as the mighty strengthu 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the deadv and seated him at his right handw in the heavenly realms,x 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,y and every namez that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.a 22 And God placed all things under his feetb and appointed him to be headc over everything for the church, 23 which is his body,d the fullness of hime who fills everything in every way.f

Made Alive in Christ

2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,g 2 in which you used to liveh when you followed the ways of this worldi and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,j the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.k 3 All of us also lived among them at one time,l gratifying the cravings of our flesha m 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,n God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressionso—it is by grace you have been saved.p 6 And God raised us up with Christq and seated us with himr in the heavenly realmss in Christ Jesus,