Ephesians 4
4Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.G1473G3767G1198G1722G2962G3870G5209G4043G516G2821G3739G25642Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love.G3326G3956G5012G2532G4236G3326G3115G430G240G1722G263Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.G4704G5083G1775G4151G1722G4886G15154For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.G1520G4983G2532G1520G4151G2531G2532G2564G1722G3391G1680G5216G28215There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,G1520G2962G1520G4102G3391G9086and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.G1520G2316G2532G3962G3956G3588G1909G3956G2532G1223G3956G2532G1722G5213G39567However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.G1161G1538G1520G2257G1325G5485G2596G3358G1431G55478That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people."G1352G3004G305G1519G5311G162G161G2532G1325G1390G4449Notice that it says "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.G1161G305G5101G2076G1508G3754G2597G2532G2597G4412G1519G2737G3313G109310And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.G846G2597G2076G2532G305G5231G3956G3772G2443G4137G395611Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.G2532G846G1325G3303G652G1161G4396G1161G2099G1161G4166G2532G132012Their responsibility is to equip God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.G4314G2677G40G1519G2041G1248G1519G3619G4983G554713This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.G3360G3956G2658G1519G1775G4102G2532G1922G5207G2316G1519G5046G435G1519G3358G2244G4138G554714Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.G2443G5600G3371G3516G2831G2532G4064G3956G417G1319G1722G2940G444G1722G3834G4314G3180G410615Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.G1161G226G1722G26G837G1519G846G3956G3739G2076G2776G554716He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.G1537G3739G3956G4983G4883G2532G4822G1223G3956G860G2024G2596G1753G1722G3358G1538G1520G3313G4160G838G4983G1519G3619G1438G1722G2617With the Lord's authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused.G5124G3004G3767G2532G3143G1722G2962G5209G3371G4043G3371G2531G2532G3062G1484G4043G1722G3153G846G356318Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him.G1271G4654G5607G526G2222G2316G1223G52G5607G1722G846G1223G4457G846G258819They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.G3748G524G3860G1438G3860G766G1519G2039G3956G167G1722G412420But that isn't what you learned about Christ.G1161G5210G3129G3756G3779G3129G554721Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him,G1489G191G846G2532G1321G1722G846G2531G225G2076G1722G242422throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.G5209G659G2596G4387G391G3820G444G3588G5351G2596G539G193923Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.G1161G365G4151G5216G356324Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.G2532G1746G2537G444G3588G2596G2316G2936G1722G1343G2532G225G374225So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.G1352G659G5579G2980G1538G225G3326G846G4139G3754G2070G3196G24026And "don't sin by letting anger control you." Don't let the sun go down while you are still angry,G3710G2532G264G3361G1931G3361G2246G1931G1909G5216G395027for anger gives a foothold to the devil.G3383G1325G5117G122828If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need.G2813G2813G2813G3371G1161G3123G2872G2038G5495G18G2443G2192G3330G5532G219229Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.G4550G3361G3956G4550G3056G1607G1537G5216G4750G235G1536G18G4314G5532G3619G2443G1325G5485G19130And do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.G2532G3076G3361G40G4151G2316G1722G3739G4972G1519G2250G62931Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.G142G3956G4088G2532G2372G2532G3709G2532G2906G2532G988G142G575G5216G4862G3956G254932Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.G1161G1096G5543G1519G240G2155G5483G1438G2531G2532G2316G1722G5547G1722G5483G5213
Ephesians 5
5Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.G1096G3402G3767G3402G2316G5613G27G50432Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.G2532G4043G1722G26G2531G5547G2532G25G2248G2532G3860G1438G5228G2257G4376G2532G2378G2316G1519G2175G37443Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God's people.G2532G4202G1161G3956G167G2228G4124G3687G3366G3687G1722G5213G2531G4241G404Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.G2532G151G2532G3473G2228G2160G3588G433G3756G433G235G3123G21695You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.G1063G5124G2075G1097G3754G3756G3956G4205G2228G169G2228G4123G3739G2076G1496G2192G2817G1722G932G5547G2532G23166Don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him.G538G3367G538G5209G2756G3056G1063G1223G5023G2064G3709G2316G1909G5207G5437Don't participate in the things these people do.G1096G3361G1096G3767G4830G8468For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!G1063G2258G4218G4655G1161G3568G5457G1722G2962G4043G5613G5043G54579For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.G1063G2590G4151G1722G3956G19G2532G1343G2532G22510Carefully determine what pleases the Lord.G1381G5101G2076G2101G296211Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them.G2532G4790G3361G4790G175G2041G4655G1161G3123G2532G165112It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret.G1063G2076G149G2532G3004G2931G1096G5259G846G293113But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them,G1161G3956G1651G5319G5259G5457G1063G3956G5319G2076G545714for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, "Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light."G1352G3004G1453G2518G2532G450G1537G3498G2532G5547G2017G4671G201715So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise.G991G3767G4459G4043G199G3361G5613G781G235G5613G468016Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.G1805G2540G3754G2250G1526G419017Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.G1223G5124G1096G3361G878G235G4920G5101G2307G296218Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,G2532G3182G3361G3182G3631G1722G3739G2076G810G235G4137G1722G415119singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.G2980G1438G5568G2532G5215G2532G4152G5603G103G2532G5567G1722G5216G2588G296220And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.G2168G3842G5228G3956G2316G2532G3962G1722G3686G2257G2962G2424G554721And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.G5293G240G1722G5401G231622For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord.G1135G5293G2398G435G5613G296223For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church.G3754G435G2076G2776G1135G2532G5613G5547G2776G1577G2532G846G2076G4990G498324As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.G235G5618G1577G5293G5547G3779G2532G1135G2398G435G1722G395625For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for herG435G25G1438G1135G2531G5547G2532G25G1577G2532G3860G1438G5228G84626to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God's word.G2443G846G37G2511G3067G5204G1722G448727He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault.G2443G3936G846G1438G1741G1577G3361G2192G4696G2228G4512G2228G5100G5108G235G2443G5600G40G2532G29928In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself.G3779G3784G435G25G1438G1135G5613G1438G4983G25G1438G1135G25G143829No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.G1063G3762G4218G3404G1438G4561G235G1625G2532G2282G846G2531G2532G2962G157730And we are members of his body.G3754G2070G3196G846G4983G1537G846G4561G2532G1537G846G374731As the Scriptures say, "A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one."G473G5127G2641G444G2641G846G3962G2532G3384G2532G4347G4314G846G1135G2532G1417G2071G1519G3391G456132This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one.G5124G2076G3173G3466G1161G1473G3004G1519G5547G1519G2532G157733So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.G4133G2532G25G1520G1538G5210G2596G3779G25G1438G1135G5613G1438G1161G1135G2443G5399G435
Ephesians 6
6Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do.G5043G5219G5216G1118G1722G2962G1063G5124G2076G13422"Honor your father and mother." This is the first commandment with a promise.G5091G4675G3962G2532G3384G3748G2076G4413G1785G1722G18603If you honor your father and mother, "things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth."G2443G1096G2095G4671G2532G2071G3118G1909G10934Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.G2532G3962G3949G3361G5216G5043G3949G235G1625G846G1625G1722G3809G2532G3559G29625Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ.G1401G5219G2962G2596G4561G3326G5401G2532G5156G1722G572G5216G2588G5613G55476Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.G3361G2596G3787G5613G441G235G5613G1401G5547G4160G2307G2316G1537G55907Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.G3326G2133G1398G2962G2532G3756G4448Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.G1492G3754G3739G1437G5100G18G1538G4160G5124G2865G3844G2962G1535G1401G1535G16589Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don't threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.G2532G2962G4160G846G4314G846G447G547G1492G3754G5216G846G2962G2532G2076G1722G3772G2532G3756G2076G4382G3844G84610A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.G3063G3450G80G1743G1722G2962G2532G1722G2904G846G247911Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.G1746G3833G2316G4314G5209G1410G2476G4314G3180G122812For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.G3754G2254G3823G3756G2076G4314G4561G2532G129G235G4314G746G4314G1849G4314G2888G4655G5127G165G4314G4152G4189G1722G203213Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.G1223G5124G353G3833G2316G2443G1410G436G1722G4190G2250G2532G2716G537G247614Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness.G2476G3767G4024G5216G3751G4024G1722G225G2532G1746G2382G134315For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.G2532G4228G5265G1722G2091G2098G151516In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.G1909G3956G353G2375G4102G1722G3739G1410G4570G3956G4448G956G419017Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.G2532G1209G4030G4992G2532G3162G4151G3603G4487G231618Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.G4336G1722G2540G3956G1223G3956G4335G2532G1162G1722G4151G2532G69G1519G5124G846G1722G3956G4343G2532G1162G4012G3956G4019And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God's mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.G2532G5228G1700G2443G3056G1325G3427G1722G457G3450G4750G1722G3954G1107G3466G209820I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God's ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.G5228G3739G4243G1722G254G2443G1722G846G3955G5613G3165G1163G298021To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord's work.G1161G2443G5210G2532G1492G1691G2596G5101G4238G5190G27G80G2532G4103G1249G1722G2962G1107G5213G395622I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.G3739G3992G4314G5209G1519G846G5124G2443G1097G2257G4012G2532G3870G5216G258823Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness.G1515G80G2532G26G3326G4102G575G2316G3962G2532G2962G2424G554724May God's grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.G5485G3326G3956G25G2257G2962G2424G5547G1722G861G281
Dublin, OH
through the generosity of Christ.G1161
