章 |
3:1 |
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles--
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3:2 |
for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you,
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3:3 |
and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words,
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3:4 |
a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ.
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3:5 |
In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit:
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3:6 |
that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
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3:7 |
Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power.
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3:8 |
Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ,
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3:9 |
and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things;
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3:10 |
so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
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3:11 |
This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord,
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3:12 |
in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
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3:13 |
I pray therefore that you may not lose heart over my sufferings for you; they are your glory.
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3:14 |
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father,
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3:15 |
from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name.
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3:16 |
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit,
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3:17 |
and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love.
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3:18 |
I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth,
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3:19 |
and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
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3:20 |
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine,
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3:21 |
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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