He exhorts them to unity, to put on the new man, and to fly sin.
[1] I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called,
[2] With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity.
[3] Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
[4] One body and one Spirit; as you are called in one hope of your calling.
[5] One Lord, one faith, one baptism.
[6] One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.
[7] But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.
[8] Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive; he gave gifts to men.
[9] Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?
[10] He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.
[11] And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors,
[17] This then I say and testify in the Lord: That henceforward you walk not as also the Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind,
[18] Having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts.
[19] Who despairing, have given themselves up to lasciviousness, unto the working of all uncleanness, unto covetousness.
[20] But you have not so learned Christ;
[21] If so be that you have heard him, and have been taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus:
[22] To put off, according to former conversation, the old man, who is corrupted according to the desire of error.
[23] And be renewed in the spirit of your mind:
[24] And put on the new man, who according to God is created in justice and holiness of truth.
[25] Wherefore putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbour; for we are members one of another.
[26] Be angry, and sin not. Let not the sun go down upon your anger.
[27] Give not place to the devil.
[28] He that stole, let him now steal no more; but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.
[29] Let no evil speech proceed from your mouth; but that which is good, to the edification of faith, that it may administer grace to the hearers.
[30] And grieve not the holy Spirit of God: whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.
[31] Let all bitterness, and anger, and indignation, and clamour, and blasphemy, be put away from you, with all malice.
[32] And be ye kind one to another; merciful, forgiving one another, even as God hath forgiven you in Christ.
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