3:1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles
3:2 Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you,
3:3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.
3:4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,
3:5 which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.
3:6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.
3:7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.
3:8 Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
3:9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.
3:10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,
3:11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.
3:12 In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
3:13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.
3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
3:15 from whom his whole family [Or whom all fatherhood] in heaven and on earth derives its name.
3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,
3:17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,
3:18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,
3:19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge that you may be filled to the measure of all the fulness of God.
3:20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,
3:21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
