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Paul, apostle to the Gentiles

1This is why I, Paul, am a prisoner of Christ for you Gentiles.

2You’ve heard, of course, about the responsibility to distribute God’s grace, which God gave to me for you, right? 3God showed me his secret plan#3.3 Or mystery in a revelation, as I mentioned briefly before (4when you read this, you’ll understand my insight into the secret plan#3.4 Or mystery about Christ). 5Earlier generations didn’t know this hidden plan that God has now revealed to his holy apostles and prophets through the Spirit. 6This plan is that the Gentiles would be coheirs and parts of the same body, and that they would share with the Jews in the promises of God in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 7I became a servant of the gospel because of the grace that God showed me through the exercise of his power.

8God gave his grace to me, the least of all God’s people, to preach the good news about the immeasurable riches of Christ to the Gentiles. 9God sent me to reveal the secret plan#3.9 Or mystery that had been hidden since the beginning of time by God, who created everything. 10God’s purpose is now to show the rulers and powers in the heavens the many different varieties of his wisdom through the church. 11This was consistent with the plan he had from the beginning of time that he accomplished through Christ Jesus our Lord. 12In Christ we have bold and confident access to God through faith in him.#3.12 Or through his faithfulness 13So then, I ask you not to become discouraged by what I’m suffering for you, which is your glory.

Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians

14This is why I kneel before the Father. 15Every ethnic group in heaven or on earth is recognized by him. 16I ask that he will strengthen you in your inner selves from the riches of his glory through the Spirit. 17I ask that Christ will live in your hearts through faith. As a result of having strong roots in love, 18I ask that you’ll have the power to grasp love’s width and length, height and depth, together with all believers. 19I ask that you’ll know the love of Christ that is beyond knowledge so that you will be filled entirely with the fullness of God.

20Glory to God, who is able to do far beyond all that we could ask or imagine by his power at work within us; 21glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus for all generations, forever and always. Amen.

Ephesians 3:21

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