Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(B) of the calling^(C) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(D) in love.^{(E) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(F) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^{(G) 4} There is one body^(H) and one Spirit,^(I) just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(J); ⁵ one Lord,^(K) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(L) who is over all and through all and in all.^(M)

⁷ But to each one of us^(N) grace^(O) has been given^(P) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(S) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(T) 11} So Christ himself gave^(U) the apostles,^(V) the prophets,^(W) the evangelists,^(X) the pastors and teachers,^{(Y) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(Z) may be built up^{(AA) 13} until we all reach unity^(AB) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(AC) and become mature,^(AD) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(AE)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(AF) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(AG) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(AH) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(AI) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(AJ) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(AK) and builds itself up^(AL) in love,^(AM) as each part does its work.

⁷ Remember your leaders,^(A) who spoke the word of God^(B) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate^(C) their faith. ⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^(D)

⁹ Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.^(E) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened^(F) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,^(G) which is of no benefit to those who do so.^{(H) 10} We have an altar from which those who minister at the tabernacle^(I) have no right to eat.^(J)

¹¹ The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering,^(K) but the bodies are burned outside the camp.^{(L) 12} And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate^(M) to make the people holy^(N) through his own blood.^{(O) 13} Let us, then, go to him^(P) outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.^{(Q) 14} For here we do not have an enduring city,^(R) but we are looking for the city that is to come.^(S)

¹⁵ Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice^(T) of praise—the fruit of lips^(U) that openly profess his name. ¹⁶ And do not forget to do good and to share with others,^(V) for with such sacrifices^(W) God is pleased.

¹⁷ Have confidence in your leaders^(X) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you^(Y) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

¹⁸ Pray for us.^(Z) We are sure that we have a clear conscience^(AA) and desire to live honorably in every way. ¹⁹ I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.^(AB)

Benediction and Final Greetings

²⁰ Now may the God of peace,^(AC) who through the blood of the eternal covenant^(AD) brought back from the dead^(AE) our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep,^{(AF) 21} equip you with everything good for doing his will,^(AG) and may he work in us^(AH) what is pleasing to him,^(AI) through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.^(AJ)