Wherefore remember that ye being in time past gentiles in the flesh, and were called uncircumcision of them which are called circumcision in the flesh, which circumcision is made by hands: Remember I say, that ye were at that time without Christ, and were reputed aliens from the common wealth of Israhel, and were fremed from the testaments of promise, and had no hope, and were without God in this world. But now in Christ Iesu, ye which a while ago were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For he is our peace, which hath made of both one, and hath broken down the wall in the midst, that was a stop between us, and hath also put away thorow his flesh, the cause of hatred (that is to say, the law of commandments contained in the law written,) for to make of twain one new man in himself, so making peace: and to reconcile both unto God in one body thorow his cross, and slew hatred thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For thorow him we both have an open way in, in one spirit unto the father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners: but citizens with the saints, and of the household of God: and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Iesus Christ being the head cornerstone, in whom every building coupled together, groweth unto an holy temple in the lord, in whom ye also are built together, and made an habitation for God in the spirit.
The .iij. Chapter.
For this cause I Paul the servant of Iesus am in bonds, For your sakes which are gentiles. If ye have heard of the ministration of the grace of God which is given me to youward: For by revelation shewed he this mystery unto me, as I wrote above in few words, whereby, when ye read ye may know mine understanding in the ministry of Christ, which mystery in times passed was not opened unto the sons of men as it is now declared unto his holy apostles and prophets by the spirit: that the gentiles should be inheritors also, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise that is in Christ, by the means of the gospell, whereof I am made a minister, by the gift of the grace of God given unto me, after the working of his power.
Unto me the least of all saints is this grace given, that I should preach among the gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to give light to all men, that they might know what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God which made all things thorow Iesus Christ, to the intent, that now unto the rulers and powers in heaven might be known by the congregation the manyfold wisdom of God, according to that eternal purpose, which he purposed in Christ Iesu our lord, by whom we are bold to draw nigh in that trust, which we have by faith on him. Wherefore I desire, that ye faint not because of mine tribulations which I suffer for you: which is your praise.
For this cause I bow my knees unto the father of our lord Iesus Christ, which is father over all that is called father In heaven and in earth, that he would grant you according to the riches of his glory, that ye may be strengthened with might by his spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love, might be able to comprehend with all saints, what is that breadth and length, depth and height: and to know what is the love of Christ, which love passeth knowledge: that ye might be fulfilled with all manner of fullness which cometh of God.
Unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly, above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, be praise in the congregation by Iesus Christ, thorow out all generations from time to time. Amen.
The .iiij. Chapter.
I therefore which am in bonds for the lord's sake exhort you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, in all humbleness of mind, and meekness, and long suffering, forbearing one another thorow love, and that ye be diligent to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, being one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. Let there be but one lord, one faith, one baptism: one God and father of all, which is above all, thorow all, and in us all.