Thismysteryis great;but I am speakingwith referenceto Christand the church.
"For your husbandis your Maker,Whose nameis the LORDof hosts;And your Redeemeris the HolyOneof Israel,Who is calledthe Godof allthe earth.
"He who hasthe brideis the bridegroom;but the friendof the bridegroom,who standsand hearshim, rejoicesgreatlybecauseof the bridegroom'svoice.Sothisjoyof minehas been made full.
For I am jealousfor you with a godlyjealousy;for I betrothedyou to onehusband,so that to ChristI might presentyou [as] a purevirgin.
FOR THISREASONA MANSHALL LEAVEHIS FATHERAND MOTHERAND SHALL BE JOINEDTO HIS WIFE,AND THE TWOSHALL BECOMEONEFLESH.
Nevertheless,eachindividualamong you alsois to lovehis ownwifeeven as himself,and the wifemust [see to it] that she respectsher husband.
and [pray] on my behalf,that utterancemay be givento me in the openingof my mouth,to make knownwith boldnessthe mysteryof the gospel,
that their heartsmay be encouraged,having been knit togetherin love,and [attaining] to allthe wealththat comes from the full assuranceof understanding,[resulting] in a true knowledgeof God'smystery,[that is], Christ[Himself],
By common confession,greatis the mysteryof godliness:He whowas revealedin the flesh,Was vindicatedin the Spirit,Seenby angels,Proclaimedamongthe nations,Believedon in the world,Takenup in glory.
Deaconslikewise[must be] men of dignity,not double-tongued,oraddictedto muchwineorfond of sordid gain,
And I sawthe holycity,newJerusalem,coming downout of heavenfrom God,made readyas a brideadornedfor her husband.
