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Ephesians 4-6
New American Standard Bible

Unity of the Spirit

4 Therefore I, (A)the prisoner of the Lord, (B)urge you to (C)walk in a manner worthy of the (D)calling with which you have been (E)called, 2 with all (F)humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another (G)in love, 3 being diligent to keep the unity of the Spirit in the (H)bond of peace. 4 There is (I)one body and one Spirit, just as you also were called in one (J)hope of your calling; 5 (K)one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all (L)who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But (M)to each one of us (N)grace was given (O)according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore [a]it says,

“(P)When He ascended on high,
He (Q)led captive the captives,
And He gave gifts to people.”

9 (Now this expression, “He (R)ascended,” what [b]does it mean except that He also [c]had descended into (S)the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is Himself also He who ascended (T)far above all the heavens, so that He might (U)fill all things.) 11 And He (V)gave (W)some as apostles, some as prophets, some as (X)evangelists, some as [d]pastors and (Y)teachers, 12 (Z)for the equipping of the [e]saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of (AA)the body of Christ; 13 until we all attain to (AB)the unity of the faith, and of the [f](AC)knowledge of the Son of God, to a (AD)mature man, to the measure of the stature [g]which belongs to the (AE)fullness of Christ. 14 [h]As a result, we are (AF)no longer to be children, (AG)tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of people, by (AH)craftiness [i]in (AI)deceitful scheming; 15 but [j]speaking the truth (AJ)in love, [k]we are to (AK)grow up in all aspects into Him who is the (AL)head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom (AM)the whole body, being fitted and held together [l]by what every joint supplies, according to the [m]proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself (AN)in love.

The Christian’s Walk

17 (AO)So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, (AP)that you are to no longer walk just as the [n]Gentiles also walk, in the (AQ)futility of their minds, 18 being (AR)darkened in their understanding, [o](AS)excluded from the life of God because of the (AT)ignorance that is in them, because of the (AU)hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having (AV)become callous, (AW)have given themselves up to (AX)indecent behavior [p]for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not (AY)learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you (AZ)have heard Him and have (BA)been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to (BB)rid yourselves of the (BC)old [q]self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the (BD)lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be (BE)renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to (BF)put on the (BG)new [r]self, which [s](BH)in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

25 Therefore, (BI)ridding yourselves of falsehood, (BJ)speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are (BK)parts of one another. 26 (BL)Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not (BM)give the devil [t]an opportunity. 28 The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather (BN)he must labor, (BO)producing with his own hands what is good, (BP)so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. 29 Let no [u](BQ)unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for (BR)edification [v]according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 (BS)Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [w]by whom you were (BT)sealed for the day of redemption. 31 (BU)All bitterness, wrath, anger, [x]clamor, and slander must be (BV)removed from you, along with all (BW)malice. 32 (BX)Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, (BY)just as God in Christ also has forgiven [y]you.

Be Imitators of God

5 (BZ)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and (CA)walk in love, just as Christ also (CB)loved [z]you and (CC)gave Himself up for us, an (CD)offering and a sacrifice to God [aa]as a (CE)fragrant aroma.

3 But (CF)sexual immorality [ab]or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among [ac]saints; 4 and there must be no (CG)filthiness [ad]or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which (CH)are not fitting, but rather (CI)giving of thanks. 5 For this you know with certainty, that (CJ)no sexually immoral or [ae]impure or greedy person, which [af]amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom (CK)of Christ and God.

6 (CL)See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things (CM)the wrath of God comes upon (CN)the [ag]sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become (CO)partners with them; 8 for (CP)you were once (CQ)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as (CR)children of light 9 (for (CS)the fruit of the light consists in all (CT)goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 [ah](CU)as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 (CV)Do not participate in the useless (CW)deeds of (CX)darkness, but instead even (CY)expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible (CZ)when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason [ai]it says,

“(DA)Awake, sleeper,
And arise from (DB)the dead,
And Christ (DC)will shine on you.”

15 So then, [aj]be careful how you (DD)walk, not (DE)as unwise people but as wise, 16 [ak](DF)making the most of your time, because (DG)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but (DH)understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And (DI)do not get drunk with wine, [al]in which there is (DJ)debauchery, but be (DK)filled with the Spirit, 19 (DL)speaking to [am]one another in (DM)psalms and (DN)hymns and spiritual (DO)songs, (DP)singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 (DQ)always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our (DR)God and Father; 21 [an](DS)and subject yourselves to one another in the [ao](DT)fear of Christ.

Marriage like Christ and the Church

22 (DU)Wives, (DV)subject yourselves to your own husbands, (DW)as to the Lord. 23 For (DX)the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the (DY)head of the church, He Himself (DZ)being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

25 (EA)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (EB)gave Himself up for her, 26 (EC)so that He might sanctify her, having (ED)cleansed her by the (EE)washing of water with (EF)the word, 27 that He might (EG)present to Himself the church [ap]in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be (EH)holy and blameless. 28 So husbands also ought to (EI)love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are (EJ)parts of His (EK)body. 31 (EL)For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to (EM)love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she (EN)respects her husband.

Children and Parents

6 (EO)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (EP)Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3 so that it may turn out well for you, and that you may live long on the earth.

4 (EQ)Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but (ER)bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5 (ES)Slaves, be obedient to those who are your [aq]masters according to the flesh, with (ET)fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, (EU)as to Christ; 6 (EV)not [ar]by way of [as]eye-service, as (EW)people-pleasers, but as (EX)slaves of Christ, (EY)doing the will of God from the [at]heart. 7 With goodwill [au]render service, (EZ)as to the Lord, and not to people, 8 (FA)knowing that (FB)whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, (FC)whether slave or free.

9 And masters, do the same things to them, and (FD)give up threatening, knowing that (FE)both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is (FF)no partiality with Him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, (FG)be strong in the Lord and in (FH)the strength of His might. 11 (FI)Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the (FJ)schemes of the devil. 12 For our (FK)struggle is not against [av](FL)flesh and blood, but (FM)against the rulers, against the powers, against the (FN)world forces of this (FO)darkness, against the (FP)spiritual forces of wickedness in (FQ)the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up (FR)the full armor of God, so that you will be able to (FS)resist on (FT)the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, (FU)having belted your waist with truth, and having (FV)put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having (FW)strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [aw]in addition to all, taking up the (FX)shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the (FY)flaming arrows of (FZ)the evil one. 17 And take (GA)the helmet of salvation and the (GB)sword of the Spirit, which is (GC)the word of God.

18 [ax]With every (GD)prayer and request, [ay](GE)pray at all times (GF)in the Spirit, and with this in view, [az](GG)be alert with all (GH)perseverance and every (GI)request for all the [ba]saints, 19 and (GJ)pray in my behalf, that speech may be given to me (GK)in the opening of my mouth, to make known with (GL)boldness (GM)the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an (GN)ambassador (GO)in [bb]chains; that [bc]in proclaiming it I may speak (GP)boldly, (GQ)as I ought to speak.

21 (GR)Now, so that you also may know about my circumstances as to [bd]what I am doing, (GS)Tychicus, (GT)the beloved brother and faithful [be]servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 [bf](GU)I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know [bg]about us, and that he may (GV)comfort your hearts.

23 (GW)Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and (GX)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ [bh]with incorruptible love.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or He
  2. Ephesians 4:9 Lit is it except
  3. Ephesians 4:9 One early ms had first descended
  4. Ephesians 4:11 From Gr for shepherds
  5. Ephesians 4:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  6. Ephesians 4:13 Or true knowledge
  7. Ephesians 4:13 Lit of the fullness
  8. Ephesians 4:14 Lit So that we will no longer be
  9. Ephesians 4:14 Lit with regard to the scheming of deceit
  10. Ephesians 4:15 Or holding to; or being truthful in
  11. Ephesians 4:15 Or let’s grow up
  12. Ephesians 4:16 Lit through every joint of the supply
  13. Ephesians 4:16 Lit working in measure
  14. Ephesians 4:17 I.e., unbelieving Gentiles
  15. Ephesians 4:18 Or alienated
  16. Ephesians 4:19 Or greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity
  17. Ephesians 4:22 Lit person
  18. Ephesians 4:24 Lit person
  19. Ephesians 4:24 Lit according to God
  20. Ephesians 4:27 Lit a place
  21. Ephesians 4:29 Lit rotten
  22. Ephesians 4:29 Lit of the need
  23. Ephesians 4:30 Lit in
  24. Ephesians 4:31 Or shouting
  25. Ephesians 4:32 Two early mss us
  26. Ephesians 5:2 One early ms us
  27. Ephesians 5:2 Lit for an odor of fragrance
  28. Ephesians 5:3 Lit and all
  29. Ephesians 5:3 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  30. Ephesians 5:4 Lit and
  31. Ephesians 5:5 I.e., morally impure
  32. Ephesians 5:5 Lit is
  33. Ephesians 5:6 I.e., people opposed to God
  34. Ephesians 5:10 Lit putting to the test what
  35. Ephesians 5:14 Or He
  36. Ephesians 5:15 Lit look carefully
  37. Ephesians 5:16 Lit redeeming the time
  38. Ephesians 5:18 Or by which
  39. Ephesians 5:19 Or yourselves
  40. Ephesians 5:21 Lit being submissive to
  41. Ephesians 5:21 Or reverence for
  42. Ephesians 5:27 Lit glorious
  43. Ephesians 6:5 I.e., earthly masters, as in first-century Roman culture
  44. Ephesians 6:6 Lit according to
  45. Ephesians 6:6 I.e., only when the master is watching
  46. Ephesians 6:6 Lit soul
  47. Ephesians 6:7 Lit rendering
  48. Ephesians 6:12 Lit blood and flesh
  49. Ephesians 6:16 Lit in all
  50. Ephesians 6:18 Lit Through
  51. Ephesians 6:18 Lit praying
  52. Ephesians 6:18 Lit being
  53. Ephesians 6:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  54. Ephesians 6:20 Lit a chain
  55. Ephesians 6:20 Two early mss I may speak it boldly
  56. Ephesians 6:21 Or how
  57. Ephesians 6:21 Or minister
  58. Ephesians 6:22 Lit Whom I have sent to you
  59. Ephesians 6:22 Lit the things about us
  60. Ephesians 6:24 Lit in incorruption
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Ephesians 4-6
New International Version

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy(B) of the calling(C) you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another(D) in love.(E) 3 Make every effort to keep the unity(F) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.(G) 4 There is one body(H) and one Spirit,(I) just as you were called to one hope when you were called(J); 5 one Lord,(K) one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all,(L) who is over all and through all and in all.(M)

7 But to each one of us(N) grace(O) has been given(P) as Christ apportioned it. 8 This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(Q)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](R)

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended(S) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(T) 11 So Christ himself gave(U) the apostles,(V) the prophets,(W) the evangelists,(X) the pastors and teachers,(Y) 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ(Z) may be built up(AA) 13 until we all reach unity(AB) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God(AC) and become mature,(AD) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.(AE)

14 Then we will no longer be infants,(AF) tossed back and forth by the waves,(AG) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.(AH) 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(AI) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(AJ) that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows(AK) and builds itself up(AL) in love,(AM) as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer(AN) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.(AO) 18 They are darkened in their understanding(AP) and separated from the life of God(AQ) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.(AR) 19 Having lost all sensitivity,(AS) they have given themselves over(AT) to sensuality(AU) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off(AV) your old self,(AW) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;(AX) 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;(AY) 24 and to put on(AZ) the new self,(BA) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.(BB)

25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully(BC) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.(BD) 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]:(BE) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.(BF) 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,(BG) doing something useful with their own hands,(BH) that they may have something to share with those in need.(BI)

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,(BJ) but only what is helpful for building others up(BK) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,(BL) with whom you were sealed(BM) for the day of redemption.(BN) 31 Get rid of(BO) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(BP) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,(BQ) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(BR) 5 1 Follow God’s example,(BS) therefore, as dearly loved children(BT) 2 and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us(BU) and gave himself up for us(BV) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(BW)

3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,(BX) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,(BY) because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk(BZ) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(CA) 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater(CB)—has any inheritance(CC) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[e](CD) 6 Let no one deceive you(CE) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath(CF) comes on those who are disobedient.(CG) 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once(CH) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(CI) 9 (for the fruit(CJ) of the light consists in all goodness,(CK) righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.(CL) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,(CM) but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light(CN) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,(CO)
    rise from the dead,(CP)
    and Christ will shine on you.”(CQ)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live(CR)—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,(CS) because the days are evil.(CT) 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.(CU) 18 Do not get drunk on wine,(CV) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,(CW) 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.(CX) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks(CY) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households(CZ)

21 Submit to one another(DA) out of reverence for Christ.

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands(DB) as you do to the Lord.(DC) 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,(DD) his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands(DE) in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives,(DF) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her(DG) 26 to make her holy,(DH) cleansing[f] her by the washing(DI) with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself(DJ) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.(DK) 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives(DL) as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.(DM) 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[g](DN) 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife(DO) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(DP) 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[h](DQ)

4 Fathers,[i] do not exasperate your children;(DR) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.(DS)

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(DT) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(DU) just as you would obey Christ.(DV) 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(DW) doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(DX) 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(DY) whether they are slave or free.

9 And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours(DZ) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(EA) with him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(EB) and in his mighty power.(EC) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(ED) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(EE) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(EF) against the powers(EG) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(EH) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(EI) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,(EJ) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(EK) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(EL) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(EM) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(EN) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(EO) and the sword of the Spirit,(EP) which is the word of God.(EQ)

18 And pray in the Spirit(ER) on all occasions(ES) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(ET) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(EU) for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,(EV) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(EW) make known the mystery(EX) of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador(EY) in chains.(EZ) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus,(FA) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,(FB) and that he may encourage you.(FC)

23 Peace(FD) to the brothers and sisters,[j] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[k]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
  4. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
  5. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
  6. Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
  7. Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24
  8. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  9. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
  10. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  11. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
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