1So I, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live a life that matches the high calling you have received.
2Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowances for each other’s faults because of your love.
3Make every effort to remain united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.
4There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called.
5There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7But each one of us has received grace in a special way, according to the gift Christ gave us.
8That is why the Scripture says: "When he ascended to the heights, he led captives in his procession and gave gifts to people."
9What does it mean, "He ascended," if not that he also first descended to the lower parts of the earth?
10The one who came down is also the one who went up far above all the heavens, so that he could fill everything.
11He appointed some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers.
12He did this to prepare God’s people for service and to build up the body of Christ.
13This will continue until all of us are united in our faith and in our knowledge of the Son of God. Our goal is to become mature, reaching the full standard of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be children, tossed around by waves and carried away by every teaching that winds around, tricked by people's cleverness and cunning craftiness that leads to error.
15Instead, by speaking the truth with love, we will grow in every way to be like Christ, who is the head.
16He is the source from whom the whole body is joined and held together by every supporting ligament. As each part does its own special work, it causes the body to grow and to build itself up in love.
17So I tell you this, and I insist on it in the Lord: you must no longer live like the ungodly, whose thinking is pointless.
18Their understanding is darkened, and they are separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them and the hardness of their hearts.
19They have lost all sensitivity and have given themselves over to sensual desire, eagerly practicing every kind of impurity.
20But you did not learn Christ in this way,
21assuming you have heard of him and were taught in him, just as the truth is in Jesus.
22You were taught to get rid of your old way of life, to shed your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires.
23Instead, you are to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
25So get rid of all falsehood. Everyone, tell your neighbor the truth, for we are all parts of one another.
26“Be angry, but do not sin.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
27and don’t give the devil an opportunity.
28Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, so that they will have something to share with those in need.
29Don’t let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, so that it benefits those who listen.
30Don’t make the Holy Spirit sad, because he is the one who guarantees you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, shouting, and insults, along with every kind of evil.
32Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, forgiving each other, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.