Study Desk

Paul, an apostle^(a) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(b) To God's holy people^(c) in Ephesus,^[a](d) the faithful^(e) in Christ Jesus:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(f)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(g) who has blessed us in the heavenly realms^(h) with every spiritual blessing in Christ.

For he chose us⁽ⁱ⁾ in him before the creation of the world^(j) to be holy and blameless^(k) in his sight. In love^(l)

he^[b] predestined^(m) us for adoption to sonship^[c](n) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure^(o) and will—

to the praise of his glorious grace,^(p) which he has freely given us in the One he loves.^(q)

In him we have redemption^(r) through his blood,^(s) the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches^(t) of God's grace

that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding,

he^[d] made known to us the mystery^(u) of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed^(v) in Christ,

to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment^(w)—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.^(x)

In him we were also chosen,^[e] having been predestined^(y) according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose^(z) of his will,

in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.^(aa)

And you also were included in Christ^(ab) when you heard the message of truth,^(ac) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,^(ad) the promised Holy Spirit,^(ae)

who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance^(af) until the redemption^(ag) of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.^(ah)