Ephesians 1
1. Paul, the apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to those who are in Ephesus, the saints and the faithful in Jesus Christ,
2. Peace be with you and grace from God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ.
3. Blessed is the God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who blessed us with every heavenly benediction through Christ,
4. As He chose us through him before the foundations of the universe, so as to be sanctified through him and not by our own oaths.
5. And with love, He assigned us to him. And He consecrated us as children through Jesus Christ, according to his will,
6. So as He may exalt the glory of his mercy, He that poured it over us through His beloved.
7. Through whom we have salvation, and through his blood the forgiveness of sins, according to his abundant grace,
8. That which he magnified through us, in every act of wisdom and edification of spirit.
9. And He declared to us the sermon of His will, that which from the beginning He had consecrated through him,
10. The supreme reign over the fulfillment of all the Ages, so that everything that is in heaven and on earth is renewed through Christ all over again.*
11. And we are chosen by him, according to how we were consecrated at the beginning, and according to how He wished everyone to be deployed by the intentions of his will.
12. That we may be the ones who proffered the hope of Christ in preparation for his imminent glory.
13. So as you may also hear through him the earnest manifestation, that which is the Hope of your eternal life, and through him you have Faith and have been sealed by the holy Spirit that was announced by the angels,
14. That which is the bounty of the inheritance,* the salvation of those who shall live [everlasting lives] and the glory of his honor.*
15. Because of this I too, behold, since I heard of your faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and your love for all the saints,
16. I never cease from confessing on your behalf and in remembering you in my prayers,
17. That the Godhead of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of Glory, should give you the spirit of wisdom and the revelation of his knowledge,
18. And that he may brighten the eye of your hearts, that you may know what is the Hope of his calling and the wealth of the glory that is the inheritance of saints,
19. And so that great power is magnified through us by our faith in him, according to His all consuming power.
20. That He performed through Christ and raised him from the dead* and placed him from His right in heaven,
21. Higher than all the thrones, authorities, powers and lordships, and higher than all the names that are ever praised, not only in this universe alone, except also in the future.
22. And everything under his feet shall be worshipped and to him, as he is above everything, He has given the leadership of the Church.
23. Which is his body and the embodiment of the One who embodies all.
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*1:10 Lit. Ar. id. expression: "From the head."
*1:14.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Fringe benefit," "net result" or "dividend."
*1:14.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Supreme glory."
*1:20 Lit. Ar. id.: "House of the dead."
Ephesians 2
1. Also to you who were dead in your sins and foolishness,
2. As you walked in the ways of old, according to the worldliness of this universe, and according to the leaders of the earth's governments,* in the spirit that compels Children to be heedless,
3. According to the same practices that we also followed in the past through the lust of our flesh, and according to the flesh we did what we considered justifiable* and ended up being children of wrath like everybody else.
4. God, however, who is rich in mercy, loved us because of His great love,
5. Whereas we were dead in our sins, He gave us life with Christ and saved us by his grace,
6. And He raised us with him and placed us in heaven through Jesus Christ,
7. That He may show the universes that are coming the great riches of his grace and His fulfillment through Jesus Christ that descended upon us.
8. For it was by Grace that he saved us through faith, and this was not of your doing, except the gift of God.
9. Not through the performance [of deeds,] so that no human should be proud.
10. For we are his creation, whereas we are born through Jesus Christ as works of grace, those by which from olden times God favored us.
11. Because of that, remember that you people were in the beginning according to the flesh, and that you were called unto circumcision from uncircumcision, which is accomplished with hands of flesh.*
12. And you were in that age without Christ, and you were foreigners of Israel,* and you were strangers to the covenant of the kingdom, and you had no hope and no god in the world.
13. Now, however, through Jesus Christ, those of you who were outsiders* in the old times, have become kindred through the blood of Jesus Christ.
14. For he is our peace, he who made two into one, and who united the knot of the old pair in equality,
15. And [he resolved] the enmity in his flesh, and the Law of commandments he cancelled by his own commandment, so as he may rebuild both lines through his Triune essence into one new human being, and create peace,
16. And so he may gaze upon both of them in one body with God, and so he may kill the enmity by his Cross,
17. And so he may come and proffer peace upon you, to those who had wandered off and to those who had stayed near.
18. Because through him we have kinship, both [lines of the Covenant] in one spirit toward the Father.
19. Henceforth, you are neither outsiders, nor migrants, except you are inhabitants of the saints' towns, and the children of the house of God.
20. And so you may build upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, and he is the cornerstone* of the building, Jesus Christ himself.
21. And by him is administered the entire structure and through him is the holy temple raised by the Lord,
22. While you are also utilized to fortify God's building* in spirit.
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*2:2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech retained: Secular leaderships that do not accept Jesus Christ as Lord and God.
*2:3 Lit. Ar. id.: "According to conscience."
*2:11 To understand the significance of the Cross (a concept lost to Western theologians,) there has to be opposition of the two paths, the one branch suspended horizontally in the air, the symbol of the Spirit, anchored by the vertical branch that is buried in the ground, symbol of the world. The horizontal branch cannot stand without the vertical branch, or else the cross loses its significance and purpose. Thus accordingly without opposition, Christianity cannot exit.
*2:12 Continuing reference to the symbol of the Cross.
*2:13 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Distanced."
*2:20 Lit. Ar. id.: "Head of corner."
*2:22 Lit. Ar. id.: "Construct."
Ephesians 3
1. Because of that I, Paul, am bound on behalf* of the nations through Jesus Christ,
2. If you heed God's plan* of grace that is given to me through you,
3. That the revelation has been made known to me in the sermon, as I have written to you in detail,
4. According to what you can read in learning my knowledge of Christ's sermon,
5. He that was not known to humanity in other centuries, as He is now revealed for the Apostleship of the saints and the inspiration for the spirit.
6. So as the nations may become partakers* of the inheritance, and a part of his body and the Kingdom that is proffered by him through the revelation of God,
7. He whom I serve, according to the gift of God's grace, that was given to me as an expression of his awesome Power.*
8. To me, the smallest of all the saints, was given the grace of preaching [the Kingdom,] Christ's riches among the nations, the Infallible [Christ,]*
9. And that I may enlighten all people as to who is the administrator of that sermon, He who was hidden from the universe by the God of all creation,
10. So that the church would come to know the wisdom of God, full of diversity with respect to the thrones and powers of heaven,
11. That which was destined from the foundation of the universe* and its fulfillment through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
12. Through Whom we have the opportunity and kingship in the advocacy of Faith,
13. Because of that I ask that my tribulations shall not cease on your behalf,* that through this you may be praised.
14. And that I may kneel down on my knees to my Father, our Lord Jesus Christ,
15. From Whom is celebrated* every parenthood in heaven and on earth,
16. That He may grant you according to the richness of his glory, so as you may be confirmed through His Spirit with power,
17. So as Christ may develop your inner person with Faith, and in your hearts with love, as your root and foundation is made true,
18. So as you may learn with all the saints, what are the heights, depths, lengths and breaths,
19. And that you may know the supremacy of the knowledge and love of Christ, and that you may be filled with all of God's abundance.*
20. To Him who is able with greater power than anyone to do for us, more than we can ever ask for or imagine, according to His power that is pledged through us,
21. To Him [we offer] glory in His church through Jesus Christ, throughout the centuries of the universe to the end of all the universes, amen.
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*3:2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Leadership."
*3:6 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Of the inheritance."
*3:7 Lit. Ar. id.: (Reference is to Jesus) "...was from the manifestation of His power."
*3:8 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Inimitable," "the unassailable," or "the unfaultable."
*3:11 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "From the universes."
*3:13 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Over your faces."
*3:14 Lit. Ar. id.: "Renowned."
*3:19 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Fullness of God."
Ephesians 4
1. I beg you thus, I who am bound to our Lord, that you proceed according to the calling by which you were called,
2. In complete sympathy,* peacefulness and generosity* of spirit, and preach [the Kingdom] to each other in love,
3. And you should endeavor to guard the Triune essence of the Spirit,* dovetailed in peace,
4. So you may be with one body and one spirit, as you are called by the one Hope of your Calling.
5. For One is the Lord and one is the Faith and one is the Baptism,*
6. And One is God, Father of everyone and Supreme over all, and Omnipotent in everything and Omniscient in all of us.*
7. To each one of us,* however, He gave us grace according to their measure in appreciating Christ.
8. Because of that it is said [in Scriptures,]
"He ascends to the highest,
He furnishes a resting place
and He grants rewards to humanity."
9. That He ascends, however, is what, except for also that He beforehand would descend to the lower depths of the earth.
10. He who descends, was the One who ascended higher than all, so as all heaven should be in submission to Him.
11. And it is He who grants that some should be apostles, prophets, preachers, sheppards and some to be teachers,
12. To nurture the saints, to perform ministry, to build the body of Christ,
13. Until we all become one in faith and knowledge of the Son of God, and [we become] one person according to the measure of Christ's all encompassing stature.
14. And that we should not be like the boys who are shaken and tossed asunder by every revolutionary spirit of human knowledge, those ideas that are designed to mislead through stupidity.
15. Except [your ideas] should be confirmed by our love, so as that everything that belongs to us is nurtured through Christ who is our head,
16. And from Him is everybody mustered and assembled, whoever He embodies, according to the measure of the endowment granted to every member for the discipline of his or her body, so as the entire structure is established in love.
17. This then I say and testify to in the Lord, that henceforth you shall not live* like other nations who live according to their empty delusions,*
18. And according to their unenlightened reckoning, they are strangers to God's [gift of] eternal life, because they possess no real knowledge and because of their blind heart,
19. They are the ones who cut themselves off from their [only] Hope and deliver their souls to depravity and the performance of every demonic act purposely.
20. You, however, did not learn about Christ in this way,
21. If you truly heard Him and learned from Him, as the ultimate learning was through Jesus.
22. Except you should divest yourselves of your old habits,* the ancient man tormented by desolating desires.
23. And you shall be renewed by the spirit of your revelation,
24. And you shall be transformed into a new human being,* who is created by God in holiness and genuine righteousness.
25. Because of that you shall divest yourselves of lies and you shall speak earnestly among your kin. For we are members of one another.
26. Be passionate, but sin not and let not the sun set on your rage,*
27. And do not give ground to the devil.
28. And whoever stole, henceforth shall not steal, except they shall provide with their hands and perform good deeds, so as they may have the blessings of being able to give to the needy.
29. No ugly word shall emerge from your mouth, except that which is charming and constructive,* so as it may impart a blessing to those that hear it.
30. And neither shall you confine* God's holy Spirit, as you may be stamped* with it on the Day of Salvation.
31. As She will divest you of all bitterness and torment, anger and outrage, profanity and evil,
32. And you shall be pleasant to one another and kind, and you shall forgive one another, as God in heaven shall forgive us.
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*4:2.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Gentleness of outlook."
*4:2.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Stretching."
*4:3 Lit. Ar. id.: "Oneness of Spirit."
*4:5 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction retained: "There is only one Lord, one faith and one baptism."
*4:6 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "And on is God Father of all and over all and in everything and in us all."
*4:7 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "To one one."
*4:17.1 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Go about."
*4:17.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Emptiness of their opinions."
*4:22 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Rest from yourselves your old walk."
*4:24 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Wear the new human being."
*4:26 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "Be angry and sin not and the sun over your anger will not pass."
*4:29 Lit. Ar. idiomatic construction: "...beautiful and suitable for building up."
*4:30.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Reduce its scope."
*4:30.2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "Condemned by it," "exposed with it," or "reduced by it."
Ephesians 5
1. Therefore, you shall appear* to God as beloved children.
2. And go forth in love, just as Christ loved us and delivered himself on our behalf, an offering and sacrifice to God, a healing balm.*
3. Fornication, however, and every demonic act and sorcery, shall not even be heard of among you,* which is appropriate for saints.
4. And neither cussing, nor threatening or outrageous words, or unnecessary insults, except instead of these let there be homage.
5. This then you shall know, that every human being who is a fornicator or an evil doer, or a sorcerer who builds idols, they will have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.
6. So as no human being shall lead you to oblivion with empty words. Because of these things there came the wrath of God over the children of rebellion.*
7. Therefore, do not associate with them.
8. For you were before in darkness. Now, however, you are the light of our Lord. Proceed therefore like children of the Light.
9. For the fruit of the Light are in all that blessedness, saintliness and earnestness.
10. And you shall choose what is beautiful before our Lord.
11. And you shall not associate yourselves with the slaves of darkness who possess no fruit, except you shall show them.
12. For what they do in secret, is too unseemly even to be discussed.
13. For everything is exposed by the light and is revealed, and everything that is revealed is light.
14. Because of this [Scripture] says,
"Reawaken, O sleeper, and rise from the dead,
let Christ shed His light upon you."
15. Look where you are going with awareness, not like fools, except like wise people,
16. That buy their daily piece of bread,* because these are evil days.
17. Because of this, do not be lacking in judgment, except learn what is the will of God.
18. And do not be drunk with the wine of the prodigal,* except be mature in spirit,
19. Speak between each other in Psalms and praises, and sing in your hearts through spiritual songs to the Lord.
20. And in every season confess on behalf of every human being, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.
21. And be devoted one to another in the love of Christ.
22. Women, be devoted to your husbands as to our Lord.
23. Because man is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church, and thus they are the caretakers* of the body.
24. Except, just as the Church is devoted to Christ, likewise the women shall be devoted to their husbands in everything.
25. Husbands, love your women, just as Christ loved His Congregation and He delivered himself on their behalf,*
26. To bless and cleanse [the Congregation] by showering her with the Waters and the Manifestation,
27. And so that they shall raise the Church to Him in praise, and that there shall be no fornication and no lies* in it, and nothing that resembles these, except that it shall be holy with no false oaths.
28. Thus it is the duty of men to love their women like they do their own bodies. For whoever loves his wife, he is loving his own self.
29. For no human being could ever hate their own body, except they satisfy it and accommodate it, likewise also Christ does for His Congregation.
30. Because we are members of His body and of His flesh and of His bones.
31. Because of that a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife, and they both become one flesh.
32. This is by Almighty design.* Speaking of Christ and His Church.
33. Therefore, you also, each one of you [who is married,] should be gracious to his wife like unto himself, the wife then submits to her husband.
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*5:1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Resemble by God."
*5:2 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "For smell sweet, healing-fulfilling."
*5:3 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Shall not be famed in fame by you."
*5:6 Lit. Ar. id.: "Non-adherents."
*5:16 Lit. Ar. idiomatic figure of speech: "Piece [of bread,]" or "Vitally crucial sustenance," a reference to someone who eats another person's last crust of bread. The word "devil" is based on this.
*5:18 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression retained: "Demand your share ahead of others."
*5:23 Lit. Ar. id.: "Revivers," "saviors."
*5:25 Lit. Ar. id.: Reference to Church as "Congregation." In these passages, "Church" and "Congregation" are interchangeable.
*5:27 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "No chips and no knots."
*5:32 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Great sermon."
Ephesians 6
1. Children, listen to your parents through our Lord, for this is [the essence of] wisdom.
2. And this is the first commandment that was passed on, "Honor your father and mother,
3. "So you will prosper and that your life may be longer on earth."
4. Parents, do not turn your children to wrath, except raise them with manners and in the knowledge of our Lord.
5. Servants, listen to your caretakers in the flesh, in submission and with trembling, and with the simplicity of heart, like you would to Christ.
6. Not by playing favorites,* as to flatter human beings, except like servants of Christ who do the will of God.
7. And minister to them with all your soul through love, like you would our Lord and not [mere] humanity.
8. As you know, the worthwhile thing that a human being does, is that which the Lord rewards, be it performed by the servant or be it performed by the emancipated.
9. Also, you caretakers of the flock, serve thus your servants that you forgive their foolishness, because you know your own Lord is in heaven, and with Him there is no judging on face value.
10. Therefore, brethren, be strengthened in our Lord and in the instrument* of His power.
11. And take on all the armaments of God, so as you may be able to stand against the craftiness of the devil.
12. Because you wrestle not with flesh and blood, except with the thrones and powers and the subjugation of this world of darkness, and with evil spirits under the sky.
13. That is why you should take on all the armaments of God, so that you can fight against evil, and as you are destined for everything, you shall rise again.
14. Rise therefore and gird your back earnestly and put on the armor of holiness,
15. And stand on your feet by the blessings of His Revelation* of peace,
16. And along with these, consecrate your shield of faith, by which you shall thwart all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17. And consecrate the borderline of salvation, and take up the sword of the Spirit that is the Manifestation of God.
18. And in all your prayers and in all your supplications, pray at all times in the Spirit. And through your prayers you should hold the vigil on every occasion, while you pray sincerely, and you should hold fast on behalf of all the saints,
19. And on my behalf also, so that I may be given the manifestation when I open my mouth, so that I may preach the sermon of Hope,
20. Of which I am its representative in chains, so I may preach in opportune time, as it is according to my duty to preach it.
21. That you may also know then, how it is with me and what I preach,* behold, I present to you, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful servant* of our Lord,
22. That I am sending him in connection with this matter, so you may learn of my situation and the desire* of your hearts.
23. Peace be with our brethren, love and faith from God the Father and from our Lord Jesus Christ.
24. Blessings upon all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ without remorse.*
(The end of the Letter to the Ephesians that was written from Rome.)
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*6:6 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "Showing the eye."
*6:10 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "With the weapon."
*6:15 Lit. Ar. name: "Awen-ga-lee-yoon."
*6:21.1 Lit. Ar. id.: "Utter."
*6:21.2 Lit. Ar. id.: "Minister."
*6:22 Lit. Ar. id.: "Prophesy."
*6:24 Lit. Ar. idiomatic expression: "That do not [undergo] throes.
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Translated by Victor Alexander ©2000