Ephesians 4

1 Therefore do I Paul, the prisoner (captivated and compelled by the love) of Jesus Christ (for all people) implore you to walk (as children of the light) in a manner fitting of the same life (that was in Him who bears the life) for which you are (also) called,

2 With all lowliness of heart (thinking nothing of your ability to bring forth that life) and in meekness (not attempting to establish it by your own works but trusting the Father to give it to you as a gift) with much patience, bearing with one another in love;

3 Being diligent to observe the unity of (the faith) the Spirit (that) bonds us as one.

4 One body and one Spirit, even the one hope of the life (and immortality) which He has called you all to;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6 One God and Father of all, who is above all and through all, and in you all.

7 But to every one of us (has He) given (the gift of) the grace (of God) the full measure of which is (in the body of) Christ Jesus (seated in immortal flesh and bone at His right hand).

8 This is why (the Psalmist) says, when He ascended up (to the right hand of the majesty) on high that He led those held captive under death's reign from their captivity and (having received from the Father) He gave gifts to men (so that He might dwell with them).

9 Now (if we know) that He ascended up, what (good) is it (for us) if He did not also descend first into (the grave in) the lower parts of the earth?

10 (But thanks be to God we know that) He who descended (into the grave) is the same One who also ascended up (being exalted by the Father) far above all the heavens, so that He might fulfill (and bring) all things (to completion in one body).

11 And He has given some (members of the body the gift to be), apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers (who all speak the same truth contained in Christ);

12 (Which parts of the body work together) to completely furnish the saints, for the work of ministering (the faith of Christ and) for the building up of the body of Christ:

13 Until we all come in the unity of the faith (of Jesus Christ), and (to the peace) that comes from the knowledge of the Son of God; to (the certainty of the same life in Him) a perfect man, (according) to the measure of the life (which God has purposed for us from the beginning) the fulness of (which is in) Christ:

14 So that we would no longer be like immature children who are tossed back and forth by the waves and carried away by every wind of empty (and useless) teachings that come by the trickery of men and the cunning cleverness, which schemes are always there waiting in an attempt to deceive you;

15 But rather, (by) speaking the truth (contained in Christ) in love, may we (be established in the faith) growing into the fullness (of Him) in all things, who is the head (cornerstone of all wisdom and knowledge to the body), even Christ:

16 From whom the entire body is perfectly joined and held together and by which every ligament is nourished and supplied; according to (Him) effectually working in every part, to make the (entire) body increase (being) built up (and established) in (His) love.

17 This I say therefore, and declare by the testimony of the Lord, that you should no longer walk as Gentiles (previously) walked (having no hope without God in the world), in the futility of their (own) mind (devoid of the truth),

18 Having their understanding darkened (by the death in the world), being alienated from (the promise of) the life of God through the ignorance that is in (their carnal) minds, because of the (death which brought) blindness to their heart:

19 Who having become callous (to their own despair) have given themselves over to an unbridled lust (for the life they can serve themselves), to work everything that is unclean (touching the death and corruption in the world) and never able to satisfy their desire for more.

20 But you have not learned this from (the faith of) Jesus Christ;

21 If in fact you have truly heard Him, and have been taught by Him, according to the truth which is (only found) in Jesus:

22 So that you (might) lay down (the burden of establishing your own life) regarding the way you formerly conducted your life, the old man (who was dead and laboring for life), which (way) is corrupt according to the deceitful lust (for life from things that cannot ever give you the life your heart truly desires but which can only serve you with death and corruption);

23 And (so that you would) be renewed in the spirit of your mind (by beholding the faith and considering the new man that emerged from the grave immortal, Christ Jesus):

24 And that you would be clothed by (the life of) the new man, who after the likeness of God is created (through the Spirit of faith) incorruptible (free from death and corruption, in the same life and immortality you see in Christ Jesus), the true (life) which He has set apart for you (from the beginning).

25 For this reason lay aside the lies (which caused you to try and establish your own life) and speak the truth (revealed in the faith of Jesus Christ) to everyone of your neighbors: because we are all members of one another (in Him).

26 Stand in awe of Him (and His ability to give you His life), and (you will) cease from all your labor: do not allow your passion for life as an occasion to do evil (which is to establish your own life) but stand still (in awe of Him:

27 And (where you) do not give an opportunity for the accusation which originates from the devil (that you are not His son or daughter filled with glory and honor from the Father).

28 Let him who (from the lack which death served him with) stole, steal no more (seeing that he has all things in Christ): but rather let him use his energy working with his hands the thing which is good (while resting in God’s sufficiency), so that he may give (from a heart filled with abundance) to him that has need.

29 Let no corrupt (and useless) communication (that has no ability to give life) come out of your mouth, but (only) that which is good (and perfect and has come down from the Father, who is the only giver of life) to the use of building (one up in the faith of Jesus Christ), so that the hearers would be influenced by His (strength and) ability to serve you with His life (and not their own).

30 And (where you) do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, who has sealed you as His own (whereby you cry Abba Father) in the day of the redemption (of your bodies immortal).

31 Allowing all bitterness, and rage, and anger, screaming and yelling, and slanderous speaking, to be removed from you, (along) with all hatred:

32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted (and filled with compassion), seeing each one as separated from the death that can animate them, even as God for Christ's sake has removed (the sting of) death from you.