Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

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This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(A)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](B)

(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(C) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth

19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

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19 After being made alive,[a] he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:19 Or but made alive in the spirit, 19 in which also

For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

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For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,(A) so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

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