A reading from the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.

But God, rich in mercy and loving us so much, brought us to life in Christ even when we were dead in our sins.  It is through this grace that we have been saved.  God raised us up, and in union with Christ Jesus gave us a place in the heavenly realm, to display in ages to come how immense are the resources of God’s grace and kindness in Christ Jesus.  It is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and even that is not of yourselves, but it is the gift of God.  Nor is it a reward for anything that you have done, so nobody can claim the credit.  We are God’s work of art, created in Christ Jesus to do the good things God created us to do from the beginning.

The Word of God recorded in the letter of Paul to the Ephesians.