The scripture we are reciting together for meditation today is from the New Testament, Ephesians 2:8 and 9. The scripture is Paul's admonition to the church in Ephesus to be saved by faith and not by works, exhorting believers to have good works prepared by God through faith. Ephesus was the capital of the province of Asia Minor in the Roman Empire, and was one of the cities where the apostle Paul lived the longest. Paul developed a very close relationship with the brothers and sisters in Ephesus. He wrote this epistle from the Roman prison, preaching the mystery of being in Christ. (translation from DeepL.com/translator)