15 but [a]speaking the truth (A)in love, [b]we are to (B)grow up in all aspects into Him who is the (C)head, that is, Christ, 16 from whom (D)the whole body, being fitted and held together [c]by what every joint supplies, according to the [d]proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself (E)in love.

The Christian’s Walk

17 (F)So I say this, and affirm in the Lord, (G)that you are to no longer walk just as the [e]Gentiles also walk, in the (H)futility of their minds, 18 being (I)darkened in their understanding, [f](J)excluded from the life of God because of the (K)ignorance that is in them, because of the (L)hardness of their heart; 19 and they, having (M)become callous, (N)have given themselves up to (O)indecent behavior [g]for the practice of every kind of impurity with greediness. 20 But you did not (P)learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you (Q)have heard Him and have (R)been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to (S)rid yourselves of the (T)old [h]self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the (U)lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be (V)renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to (W)put on the (X)new [i]self, which [j](Y)in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

25 Therefore, (Z)ridding yourselves of falsehood, (AA)speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are (AB)parts of one another. 26 (AC)Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not (AD)give the devil [k]an opportunity. 28 The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather (AE)he must labor, (AF)producing with his own hands what is good, (AG)so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. 29 Let no [l](AH)unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for (AI)edification [m]according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 (AJ)Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [n]by whom you were (AK)sealed for the day of redemption. 31 (AL)All bitterness, wrath, anger, [o]clamor, and slander must be (AM)removed from you, along with all (AN)malice. 32 (AO)Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, (AP)just as God in Christ also has forgiven [p]you.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:15 Or holding to; or being truthful in
  2. Ephesians 4:15 Or let’s grow up
  3. Ephesians 4:16 Lit through every joint of the supply
  4. Ephesians 4:16 Lit working in measure
  5. Ephesians 4:17 I.e., unbelieving Gentiles
  6. Ephesians 4:18 Or alienated
  7. Ephesians 4:19 Or greedy for the practice of every kind of impurity
  8. Ephesians 4:22 Lit person
  9. Ephesians 4:24 Lit person
  10. Ephesians 4:24 Lit according to God
  11. Ephesians 4:27 Lit a place
  12. Ephesians 4:29 Lit rotten
  13. Ephesians 4:29 Lit of the need
  14. Ephesians 4:30 Lit in
  15. Ephesians 4:31 Or shouting
  16. Ephesians 4:32 Two early mss us

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love,(A) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,(B) that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows(C) and builds itself up(D) in love,(E) 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(F) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.(G) 18 They are darkened in their understanding(H) and separated from the life of God(I) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.(J) 19 Having lost all sensitivity,(K) they have given themselves over(L) to sensuality(M) 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(N) your old self,(O) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;(P) 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;(Q) 24 and to put on(R) the new self,(S) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.(T)

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

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,(AB) but only what is helpful for building others up(AC) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,(AD) with whom you were sealed(AE) for the day of redemption.(AF) 31 Get rid of(AG) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(AH) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,(AI) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(AJ)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)