Ephesians 3

1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles...

1 为此，我保罗为了把基督耶稣传给你们外族人而做了囚犯。

2 Surely you have heard about the stewardship of God’s grace that was given to me for you,

2 相信你们已经听说了，上帝委派我将祂的恩典传给你们，

3 that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly.

3 借着启示让我明白福音的奥秘，正如我前面简要提过的。

4 In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ,

4 你们读过之后，就能明白我深知基督的奥秘。

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.

5 自古以来，上帝没有让人知道这奥秘，如今祂借着圣灵将这奥秘启示给祂的圣使徒和先知。

6 This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are fellow heirs, fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus.

6 这奥秘就是外族人能够在基督耶稣里借着福音与以色列人同做后嗣，同为一体，同享应许。

7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power.

7 上帝运用大能赐给我恩典，叫我成为这福音的使者。

8 Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,

8 我本来比最卑微的圣徒还卑微，却蒙上帝赐我这恩典，让我把基督那测不透的丰富传给外族人，

9 and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.

9 让世人都明白世代隐藏在创造万物的上帝里面的奥秘，

10 His purpose was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

10 目的是为了现在透过教会让天上的执政者和掌权者认识上帝丰富的智慧。

11 according to the eternal purpose that He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

11 上帝这样做是按照祂在我们主基督耶稣里所成就的永恒计划。

12 In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.

12 我们靠着基督、借着信祂可以坦然无惧、笃定不疑地来到上帝面前。

13 So I ask you not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

13 所以，我请求各位不要因我为你们受苦而沮丧，这其实是你们的荣耀。

14 ... for this reason I bow my knees before the Father,

14–15 为此，我跪在创造天地万物的父面前，

15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

16 I ask that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being,

16 祈求祂按照自己丰盛的荣耀，借着祂的灵，以大能使你们内在的生命刚强起来，

17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love,

17 使基督借着你们的信心住在你们心里，使你们在爱中扎根、坚立，

18 will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth

18 以便能够与众圣徒一同领悟基督的爱是多么长阔高深，

19 of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

19 并知道基督的爱远超越人的认知，好叫上帝无限的丰富充满你们。

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,

20 上帝照着运行在我们里面的大能，能够丰丰富富地成就一切，超过我们所求所想的。

21 to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

21 愿祂在教会中，在基督耶稣里得到荣耀，直到世世代代，永永远远。阿们！