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.'
21 United in him, every part of the building, closely joined together, will grow into a Temple, consecrated by its union with the Lord.
22 And, through union in him, you also are being built up together, to be a dwelling-place for God through the Spirit.