8. He poured his grace on us by giving us great wisdom and understanding.
9. He showed us the mystery of his plan. It was in keeping with what he wanted to do. It was what he had planned through Christ.
10. It will all come about when history has been completed. God will then bring together all things in heaven and on earth under one ruler. The ruler is Christ.
11. We were also chosen to belong to him. God decided to choose us long ago in keeping with his plan. He works out everything to fit his plan and purpose.
12. We were the first to put our hope in Christ. We were chosen to bring praise to his glory.
13. You also became believers in Christ. That happened when you heard the message of truth. It was the good news about how you could be saved. When you believed, he marked you with a seal. The seal is the Holy Spirit that he promised.
14. The Spirit marks us as God's own. We can now be sure that someday we will receive all that God has promised. That will happen after God sets all of his people completely free. All of those things will bring praise to his glory.
15. I have heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus. I have also heard about your love for all of God's people. That is why
16. I have not stopped thanking God for you. I always remember you in my prayers.
17. I pray to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is the glorious Father. I keep asking him to give you the wisdom and understanding that come from the Holy Spirit. I want you to know God better.