Ephesians 1 – NIV & CCB

New International Version

Ephesians 1:1-23

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To God’s holy people in Ephesus,1:1 Some early manuscripts do not have in Ephesus. the faithful in Christ Jesus:

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

Praise for Spiritual Blessings in Christ

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5he1:4,5 Or sight in love. 5 He predestined us for adoption to sonship1:5 The Greek word for adoption to sonship is a legal term referring to the full legal standing of an adopted male heir in Roman culture. through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 7In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, 9he1:8,9 Or us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, 10to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.

11In him we were also chosen,1:11 Or were made heirs having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

15For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit1:17 Or a spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)

以弗所书 1:1-23

1我是奉上帝旨意做基督耶稣使徒的保罗,写信给以弗所忠于基督耶稣的众圣徒。

2愿我们的父上帝和主耶稣基督赐给你们恩典和平安!

基督徒的属灵恩福

3赞美我们主耶稣基督的父上帝!祂在基督里赐给了我们天上各样属灵的恩福。 4早在创造世界以前,祂已经在基督里拣选了我们,使我们在祂眼中成为圣洁无瑕的人。

5上帝因为爱我们,就按照祂自己美好的旨意,预定我们借着耶稣基督得到做祂儿女的名分。 6我们赞美祂奇妙无比的恩典,这恩典是上帝借着祂的爱子赐给我们的。 7我们借着祂爱子的血蒙救赎,过犯得到赦免,这都是出于祂的洪恩。 8上帝用各种智慧和聪明把这恩典丰丰富富地赐给我们, 9照着祂在基督里所定的美好计划叫我们知道祂旨意的奥秘, 10等所定的时候一到,叫天地万物一同归在基督的名下。

11我们也在基督里被拣选成为祂的子民。这都是按自己旨意行万事的上帝预先定下的计划, 12好让我们这些首先在基督里得到盼望的人都来颂赞祂的荣耀。

13你们听过真理之道,就是那使你们得救的福音,而且也信了基督。你们既然信祂,就领受了上帝应许赐下的圣灵为印记。 14圣灵是我们领受产业的担保,直到上帝的子民得到救赎,使祂的荣耀受到颂赞。

保罗的祷告

15我听到你们对主耶稣的信心和对众圣徒的爱心后, 16不断地为你们感谢上帝,祷告的时候常常提到你们。 17我求我们主耶稣基督的上帝——荣耀的父把赐智慧和启示的灵给你们,好使你们更深地认识祂。 18我也求上帝照亮你们心中的眼睛,使你们知道祂的呼召给你们带来了何等的盼望,祂应许赐给众圣徒的产业有何等丰富的荣耀, 19并且祂在我们这些信的人身上所运行的能力是何等浩大。 20上帝曾用这大能使基督从死里复活,使基督在天上坐在自己右边, 21远远超越今生永世所有执政的、掌权的、有能力的、做主宰的和一切的权势。 22祂又使万物降服在基督脚下,使基督为教会做万物的元首。 23教会是基督的身体,蕴涵着那无所不在、充满万物者的丰盛。