¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork,^(A) created^(B) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(C) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Jew and Gentile Reconciled Through Christ

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly^(D) you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)^(E)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners^(F) to the covenants of the promise,^(G) without hope^(H) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once^(I) were far away have been brought near^(J) by the blood of Christ.^(K)

¹⁴ For he himself is our peace,^(L) who has made the two groups one^(M) and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh^(N) the law with its commands and regulations.^(O) His purpose was to create in himself one^(P) new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross,^(Q) by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace^(R) to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(S) 18} For through him we both have access^(T) to the Father^(U) by one Spirit.^(V)

¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers,^(W) but fellow citizens^(X) with God’s people and also members of his household,^{(Y) 20} built^(Z) on the foundation^(AA) of the apostles and prophets,^(AB) with Christ Jesus himself^(AC) as the chief cornerstone.^{(AD) 21} In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple^(AE) in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.^(AF)

God’s Marvelous Plan for the Gentiles

3 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner^(AG) of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me^(AH) for you, ³ that is, the mystery^(AI) made known to me by revelation,^(AJ) as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight^(AK) into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets.^{(AL) 6} This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs^(AM) together with Israel, members together of one body,^(AN) and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.^(AO)

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel^(AP) by the gift of God’s grace given me^(AQ) through the working of his power.^{(AR) 8} Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people,^(AS) this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles^(AT) the boundless riches of Christ,^{(AU) 9} and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery,^(AV) which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God^(AW) should be made known^(AX) to the rulers and authorities^(AY) in the heavenly realms,^{(AZ) 11} according to his eternal purpose^(BA) that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God^(BB) with freedom and confidence.^{(BC) 13} I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.