A reading - from the Letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians

Brothers and Sisters: God is rich in mercy; because of his great love for us he brought us to life with Christ when we were dead | in | sin.

By this favor you were saved. Both with and in Jesus Christ he raised us up and gave us a place in | the | heavens,

That in the ages to come he might display the great wealth of his favor, manifested by his kindness to us in Christ | Je|sus.

I repeat, it is owing to his favor that salvation is yours | through | faith.

This is not your own doing, it is God’s gift; neither is it a reward for anything you have accomplished, so let no one pride himself | on | it.

We are truly his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to lead the life of good deeds which God prepared for us - in - advance.