3:1   Christ Jesus made me his prisoner, so that I could help you Gentiles.

3:2   You have surely heard about God's kindness in choosing me to help you.

3:3   In fact, this letter tells you a little about how God has shown me his mysterious ways.

3:4   As you read the letter, you will also find out how well I really do understand the mystery about Christ.

3:5   No one knew about this mystery until God's Spirit told it to his holy apostles and prophets.

3:6   And the mystery is this: Because of Christ Jesus, the good news has given the Gentiles a share in the promises that God gave to the Jews. God has also let the Gentiles be part of the same body.

3:7   God treated me with kindness. His power worked in me, and it became my job to spread the good news.

3:8   I am the least important of all God's people. But God was kind and chose me to tell the Gentiles that because of Christ there are blessings that cannot be measured.

3:9   God, who created everything, wanted me to help everyone understand the mysterious plan that had always been hidden in his mind.

3:10   Then God would use the church to show the powers and authorities in the spiritual world that he has many different kinds of wisdom.

3:11   God did this according to his eternal plan. And he was able to do what he had planned because of all that Christ Jesus our Lord had done.

3:12   Christ now gives us courage and confidence, so that we can come to God by faith.

3:13   That's why you should not be discouraged when I suffer for you. After all, it will bring honor to you.

3:14   I kneel in prayer to the Father.

3:15   All beings in heaven and on earth receive their life from him.

3:16   God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers

3:17   and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love.

3:18   I pray that you and all of God's people will understand what is called wide or long or high or deep.

3:19   I want you to know all about Christ's love, although it is too wonderful to be measured. Then your lives will be filled with all that God is.

3:20   I pray that Christ Jesus and the church will forever bring praise to God. His power at work in us can do far more than we dare ask or imagine. Amen.

3:21   (SEE 3:20)