Ephesians 3:14-4:32

New International Version

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel^(A) before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(B) he may strengthen you with power^(C) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(D) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(E) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(F) and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people,^(G) to grasp how wide and long and high and deep^(H) is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge^(I)—that you may be filled^(J) to the measure of all the fullness of God.^(K)

²⁰ Now to him who is able^(L) to do immeasurably more than all we ask^(M) or imagine, according to his power^(N) that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.^(O)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(P) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(Q) of the calling^(R) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(S) in love.^{(T) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(U) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^{(V) 4} There is one body^(W) and one Spirit,^(X) just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(Y); ⁵ one Lord,^(Z) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(AA) who is over all and through all and in all.^(AB)

⁷ But to each one of us^(AC) grace^(AD) has been given^(AE) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[b] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[d]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(AH) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(AI) 11} So Christ himself gave^(AJ) the apostles,^(AK) the prophets,^(AL) the evangelists,^(AM) the pastors and teachers,^{(AN) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(AO) may be built up^{(AP) 13} until we all reach unity^(AQ) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(AR) and become mature,^(AS) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(AT)

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

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(BC) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(BD) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(BE) and separated from the life of God^(BF) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(BG) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(BH) they have given themselves over^(BI) to sensuality^(BJ) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(BK) your old self,^(BL) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(BM) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(BN) 24} and to put on^(BO) the new self,^(BP) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(BQ)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(BR) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(BS) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[e]:^(BT) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(BU) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(BV) doing something useful with their own hands,^(BW) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(BX)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(BY) but only what is helpful for building others up^(BZ) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(CA) with whom you were sealed^(CB) for the day of redemption.^{(CC) 31} Get rid of^(CD) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(CE) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(CF) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(CG)