以弗所书 3
1 因此，我—保罗为你们外邦人作了基督耶稣被囚的，替你们祈祷。
This is why, I, Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ for the sake of you foreigners,
2 谅必你们曾听见 神赐恩给我，将关切你们的职分托付我，
(well, I'm assuming you've heard that God gave me the specific responsibility of sharing God's grace with you),
3 用启示使我知道福音的奥秘，正如我以前略略写过的。
how, by what God showed me, made clear the mystery that was previously hidden. I wrote to you briefly before about this,
4 你们念了，就能晓得我深知基督的奥秘。
and when you read this you'll be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ.
5 这奥秘在以前的世代没有叫人知道，像如今借着圣灵启示他的圣使徒和先知一样。
In past generations this wasn't made clear to anyone, but now it's been revealed to God's holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit
6 这奥秘就是外邦人在基督耶稣里，借着福音，得以同为后嗣，同为一体，同蒙应许。
that foreigners are joint heirs, part of the same body, and in Christ Jesus share together in the promise through the good news.
7 我作了这福音的执事，是照 神的恩赐，这恩赐是照他运行的大能赐给我的。
I became a minister of this good news through the gift of God's grace that I was given by his power that was at work in me.
8 我本来比众圣徒中最小的还小，然而他还赐我这恩典，叫我把基督那测不透的丰富传给外邦人，
This grace was given to me, the least important of all Christians, in order to share with the foreigners the incredible value of Christ,
and to help everyone see the purpose of the mystery which from the very beginning was hidden in God who made everything. (aiōn g165)
10 为要借着教会使天上执政的、掌权的，现在得知 神百般的智慧。
God's plan was that the various aspects of his wisdom would be revealed through the church to the rulers and authorities in heaven.
This was in accordance with God's eternal purpose that he carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord. (aiōn g165)
12 我们因信耶稣，就在他里面放胆无惧，笃信不疑地来到 神面前。
Because of him and our trust in him we can come to God in total freedom and confidence.
13 所以，我求你们不要因我为你们所受的患难丧胆，这原是你们的荣耀。
So I'm asking that you don't get discouraged that I'm suffering—it's for you and you should value that!
14 因此，我在父面前屈膝，（
This is why I kneel before the Father
15 天上地上的各家，都是从他得名。）
from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its nature and character,
16 求他按着他丰盛的荣耀，借着他的灵，叫你们心里的力量刚强起来，
asking him that out of his wealth of glory he may strengthen you in your innermost being with power through his Spirit.
17 使基督因你们的信，住在你们心里，叫你们的爱心有根有基，
May Christ live in you as you trust in him, so that as you are planted deep in love,
18 能以和众圣徒一同明白基督的爱是何等长阔高深，
you may have the power to comprehend with all God's people the breadth and length and height and depth of Christ's love.
19 并知道这爱是过于人所能测度的，便叫 神一切所充满的，充满了你们。
May you know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you're made full and complete by the fullness of God.
20 神能照着运行在我们心里的大力充充足足地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。
Now may he who—through his power working in us—can do infinitely more than we ever ask for or even think about,
