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He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)
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Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
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From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
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They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.
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That, however, is not the way of life you learned
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when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.
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You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
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Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
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Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children
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and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
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It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
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But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.
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This is why it is said: “Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
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Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
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For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
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Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
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In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
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This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church.
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However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
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“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise—
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Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
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And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
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For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
