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Unity in the Body of Christ
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to
live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with
one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There
is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called-- 5one Lord, one faith, one
baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7But to each one
of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 8This is why it [1] says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives
in his train and gave gifts to men." [2] 9(What does "he ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions [3] ? 10He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole
universe.) 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be
pastors and teachers, 12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to
the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by
the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful
scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is,
Christ. 16From 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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Living as Children of Light
17So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord,
that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18They 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.
19Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of
impurity, with a continual lust for more. 20You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21Surely
you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22You were taught, with
regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23to
be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness
and holiness. 25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are
all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin" [4] : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He
who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something
to share with those in need. 29Do 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. 30And do not grieve the
Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving
each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
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