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Ephesians

Explores the Christian's identity in Christ, unity in the church, and how to live out this calling.

Chapter 4

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1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

*So, as the Lord's prisoner, I ask you to live up to the calling you received.

2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

*In a humble and gentle way, with patience and kindness, accept and bear with each other in love.

3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

*Trying to maintain the unity given by the Spirit through a connection of peace.

4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

*There is one body and one Spirit, with one hope for your calling.

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

*One God, one belief, one baptizing.

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

*There is one God and Father for everyone, who is higher than everything, goes through everything, and is inside everyone.

7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

*To each of us, there's a amount of grace given based on Christ's gift.

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

*So, he says that when he went up to the highest place, he took those who were captured and gave gifts to people.

9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

*Now that he went up, it means he also went down first into the deep 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.)

*The one who came down is the same person who went up high above all heavens. This was done so that everything could be filled.

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

*He gave different roles to some people: apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastor-teachers.

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

*For making believers stronger, for helping with church tasks, for building up Jesus' followers.

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:

*Until we all reach unity in our beliefs and understanding of Jesus, growing into complete people with the same goal: to be like Christ in every way.

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;

*So that we don't keep acting like kids, being blown around by different teachings, and led astray by clever people who try to trick us.

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

*But speak truthfully with love, so you can grow to be like him in every way, who is our leader, Jesus.

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.

*This verse says that our body is made up of different parts that work together well, and each part helps the others to grow and build up the whole body 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,

*I'm saying this because I'm telling you in the name of the Lord: Don't walk like other non-Jewish people do, who have empty thoughts.

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:

*Not fully understanding, feeling disconnected from God's life due to their ignorance, caused by their unseeing hearts.

19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

*Those who no longer feel anything have become involved in immoral behavior, eagerly engaging in impurity.

20 But ye have not so learned Christ;

*But you haven't truly understood what Christ teaches.

21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

*If you have listened to him and been taught by him, just like how truth comes from Jesus.

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

*Stop being influenced by your old way of life, which involves giving in to dishonest desires.

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

*And refresh your mind's spirit.

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

*And put on the new self, created by God to be good and holy.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

*So, stop lying and tell the truth to those around you because we are all parts of the same body.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

*Be angry, but don't sin: don't let the sun set while you're still angry.

27 Neither give place to the devil.

*Don't let the devil take control.

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.

*Stop stealing; instead, work hard and do good things so you can share with those who need help.

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.

*Don't say anything bad or foul through your mouth, but instead, speak words that build others up and help them grow, so that your words bring grace and blessings to those who listen.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

*Don't sadden the Holy Spirit of God, because it is what seals you until the day you are saved.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

*Get rid of all bitterness, anger, shouting, bad talking, and evilness. Remove them all along with all wickedness.

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

*Be kind to each other, have compassion, and forgive one another, just like how God has forgiven you through Christ.

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