As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and
sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this
world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is
now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among
them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and
following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature
objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is
rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in
transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised
us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in
Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the
incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in
Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through
faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by
works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in
advance for us to do.