Ephesians 4:9-16

New International Version

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[a]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(A) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(B) 11} So Christ himself gave^(C) the apostles,^(D) the prophets,^(E) the evangelists,^(F) the pastors and teachers,^{(G) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(H) may be built up^{(I) 13} until we all reach unity^(J) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(K) and become mature,^(L) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(M)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(N) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(O) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(P) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(Q) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(R) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(S) and builds itself up^(T) in love,^(U) as each part does its work.