Ephesians 2:12-20 Remember that you were at that time far from Christ; you were shut out from the citizenship of Israel; you were strangers to the Covenants founded on God's Promise; you were in the world without hope and without God.

Twentieth_Century⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹² Remember that you were at that time far from Christ; you were shut out from the citizenship of Israel; you were strangers to the Covenants founded on God's Promise; you were in the world without hope and without God. ¹³ But now, through your union with Christ Jesus, you who once were 'far off' have, by the shedding of the blood of the Christ, been brought 'near.' ¹⁴ He it is who is our Peace. He made the two divisions of mankind one, broke down the barrier that separated them, ¹⁵ And in his human nature put an end to the cause of enmity between them--the Law with its injunctions and ordinances--in order to create, through union with himself, from Jew and Gentile, one New Man and thus make peace. ¹⁶ And when, upon the cross, he had destroyed their mutual enmity, he sought by means of his cross to reconcile them both to God, united in one Body. ¹⁷ He came with the Good News of peace for you who were 'far off,' and of peace for those who were 'near'; ¹⁸ For it is through him that we, the Jews and the Gentiles, united in the one Spirit, are now able to approach the Father. ¹⁹ It follows, then, that you are no longer strangers and aliens, but are fellow-citizens with Christ's People and members of God's Household. ²⁰ You have been built up upon the foundation laid by the Apostles and Prophets, Christ Jesus himself being 'the corner- stone.'