Open English Translation EPH Chapter 4

4 Because of that, I, a prisoner for the master, am urging you all to walk worthily of the calling to which you were called 2 [ref]with all humility, gentleness, and patience, putting up with one another because of your love for them, 3 being serious about keeping the unity of God’s spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one spirit, just as you all were called to one hope when you were called. 5 There’s one master, one system of faith, one immersion, 6 one God and father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

7 Yet each one of us has been given a measure of grace as a gift from the messiah, 8 just as it was written,

“When he ascended to heaven,

he eliminated captivity

and gave gifts to people.”[ref]

9 Of course, he couldn’t ascend if he hadn’t first descended down to earth. 10 So the one who descended is the very one who also ascended above all the heavens so that he could fill all locations. 11 Then he gave some as missionaries, some as prophets, some as announcers of the good message, some as pastors and teachers 12 so as to complete the dedicated ones for the work of service—for building the body of the messiah 13 until we can reach the unity of our faith and of our knowledge about God’s son—becoming mature people measured against the stature of the fullness of the messiah. 14 Then we’ll no longer be like children in our faith, tossed around by waves and being blown by every wind of teaching used to trick us or by crafty people who scheme how to deceive us. 15 Instead, by lovingly speaking the truth, we will grow up into every aspect of him—the messiah who is the head 16 [ref]that integrates the entire body together and holds it together by every one of its joints. When each component does its work, the body grows and builds itself up with love.

17 So I’ll say this at the master’s direction: you all are no longer to walk like unbelieving pagans who trust in their own futile thinking. 18 Their minds have been darkened because their ignorance has drawn them away from the life of God due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 They stopped caring about what’s right and wrong, and then greedily indulged themselves in their own impure lusts.

20 But you all didn’t learn that about the messiah. 21 If you had heard him and listened to his teaching, you would have heard the truth from Yeshua: 22 [ref]that you reject the former conduct of the old corrupted you, those seductive desires, 23 and allow the spirit driving your thoughts to be renewed 24 [ref]and so to remodel yourself as a godly person created to obey God and follow the pure truth.

25 [ref]So steer clear of lies—always speak the truth to those around you because we are members of each other. 26 [ref]Even when you’re angry, don’t sin, and don’t carry your anger through to the next day— 27 don’t let the devil get his foot in. 28 If you’ve been stealing, then stop it. Instead you should be a hard worker, doing good things with your hands, so that you’ll earn enough to be able to help those who are in need. 29 Don’t let any bad talk come out of your mouths, but rather words that are helpful to encourage others and to show grace to them. 30 And don’t sadden God’s holy spirit, because he is the one who recorded your names for the day when the price will be paid to buy you all back. 31 So get rid of all bitterness, and rage and severe anger, uproars and slander, and any kind of malice. 32 [ref]Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving each other just like God forgave you all through the work of the messiah.