3 ¹ WITH THIS IN MIND I make my prayer, I, Paul, who in the cause of you Gentiles am now the prisoner of Christ Jesus— 3 ² for surely you have heard how God has assigned the gift of his grace to me for your benefit. 3 ³ It was by a revelation that his secret was made known to me. I have already written a brief account of this, 3 ⁴ and by reading it you may perceive that I understand the secret of Christ. 3 ⁵ In former generations this was not disclosed to the human race; but now it has been revealed by inspiration to his dedicated apostles and prophets, 3 ⁶ that through the Gospel the Gentiles are joint heirs with the Jews, part of the same body, sharers together in the promise made in Christ Jesus.

3 ⁷ Such is the gospel of which I was made a minister, by God's gift, bestowed unmerited on me in the working of his power. 3 ⁸ To me, who am less than the least of all God's people, he has granted of his grace the privilege of proclaiming to the Gentiles the good news of the unfathomable riches of Christ, 3 ⁹ and of bringing to light how this hidden purpose was to be put into effect. It was hidden for long ages in God the creator of the universe, 3 ¹⁰ in order that now, through the church, the wisdom of God in all its varied forms might be made known to the rulers and authorities in the realms of heaven. 3 ¹¹ This is in accord with his age-long purpose, which he achieved in Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 ¹² In him we have access to God with freedom, in the confidence born of trust in him. 3 ¹³ I beg you, then, not to lose heart over my sufferings for you: indeed, they are your glory.