Ephesians 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to God's will, to the Christians in Ephesus and those who trust in Christ Jesus.
2 Grace [be] to you, and peace, from God our Father, and [from] the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3 Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:
Praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with all that's spiritually good in the heavenly world,
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
just as he chose us to be in him before the beginning of this world, so that in love we could be holy and without fault before him.
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
He decided in advance to adopt us as his children, working through Jesus Christ to bring us to himself. He was happy to do this because this is what he wanted.
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
So we praise him for his glorious grace that he so kindly gave us in his beloved Son.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
Through him we gain salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins as a result of his priceless grace
8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
that he so generously provided for us, together with all wisdom and understanding.
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
He revealed to us his previously-hidden will through which he was happy to pursue his plan
10 That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; [even] in him:
at the appropriate time to bring everyone together in Christ—those in heaven and those on the earth.
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
In him—we were chosen beforehand, according to the plan of the one who is working everything out according to his will,
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
for the purpose that we who were the first to hope in Christ could praise his glory.
13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
In him—you too have heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation. In him—because you trusted in him you were stamped with the seal of the Holy Spirit's promise,
14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
which is a down-payment on our inheritance when God redeems what he's kept safe for himself—us, who will praise and give him glory!
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
That's the reason, because I've heard of your trust in the Lord Jesus and the love that you have for all Christians,
16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
why I never stop thanking God for you and remember you in my prayers.
17 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom to see and know him as he really is.
18 The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
May your minds be enlightened so you can understand the hope he's called you to— the glorious riches he promises as an inheritance to his holy people.
19 And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
May you also understand God's amazing power
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places],
that he demonstrated in raising Christ from the dead. God seated Christ at his right hand in heaven,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (aiōn g165)
far above any other ruler, authority, power, or lord, or any leader with all their titles—not only in this world, but also in the coming world too. (aiōn g165)
22 And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church,
God has made everything subject to the authority of Christ, and has given him the responsibility as head over everything for the church,
23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
which is his body, filled full and made complete by Christ, who fills and brings everything to completion.
