1Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.

2You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world.2:2 Greek obeying the commander of the power of the air. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.

3All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

11Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts.

12In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope.

13But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

19So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.

20Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.

21We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord.

22Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.