1This letter comes from Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to God's will, to the Christians ⁰in Ephesus and those who trust in Christ Jesus.

2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Praise God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with all that's spiritually good in the heavenly world,

4just as he chose us to be in him ¹before the beginning of this world, so that in love we could be holy and without fault before him.

5He 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.

6So we praise him for his glorious grace that he so kindly gave us in his beloved Son. ²

7Through him we gain salvation through his blood, the forgiveness of our sins as a result of his priceless grace

8that he so generously provided for us, together with all wisdom and understanding.

9He revealed to us his previously-hidden will through which he was happy to pursue his plan

10at the appropriate time to bring everyone ³together in Christ—those in heaven and those on the earth.

11In him—we were chosen beforehand, according to the plan of the one who is working everything out according to his will,

12for the purpose that we ⁴who were the first to hope in Christ could praise his glory.

13In him—you ⁵too 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,

14which 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!

15That's the reason, because I've heard of your trust in the Lord Jesus and the love that you have for all Christians,

16why I never stop thanking God for you and remember you in my prayers.

17I 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.

18May 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.

19May you also understand God's amazing power

20that he demonstrated in raising Christ from the dead. God seated Christ at his right hand in heaven,

21far 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.

22God has made everything subject to the authority of Christ, and has given him the responsibility as head over everything for the church,

23which is his body, filled full and made complete by Christ, who fills and brings everything to completion.