“1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk
worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,”
“2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the
bond of peace. 4 [There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are
called in one hope of your calling; 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 unto every one of us is given grace according to the
measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up
on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that
he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower
parts of the earth? 10 He that descended is the same also that ascended
up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave
some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work
of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all
come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ: 14 That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men,
[and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is
the head, [even] Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined
together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to
the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of
the body unto the edifying of itself in love.”
“17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth
walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having
the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through
the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto
lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But ye have
not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been
taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning
the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the
deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And
that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness
and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man
truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. 26 Be ye
angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither
give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather
let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that
he may have to give to him that needeth. 29 Let no corrupt communication
proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of
edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. 30 And grieve not
the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of
redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour,
and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye
kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God
for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:1-32 AV)
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