for the (A)weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but [a]divinely powerful (B)for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying arguments and all (C)arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the (D)obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever (E)your obedience is complete.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 10:4 Or mighty before God

[a]We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ. And after you have become fully obedient, we will punish everyone who remains disobedient.

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Footnotes

  1. 10:4 English translations divide verses 4 and 5 in various ways.

The weapons we fight with(A) are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power(B) to demolish strongholds.(C) We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God,(D) and we take captive every thought to make it obedient(E) to Christ. And we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience, once your obedience is complete.(F)

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The Armor of God

10 Finally, (A)be strong in the Lord and in (B)the strength of His might. 11 (C)Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the (D)schemes of the devil. 12 For our (E)struggle is not against [a](F)flesh and blood, but (G)against the rulers, against the powers, against the (H)world forces of this (I)darkness, against the (J)spiritual forces of wickedness in (K)the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up (L)the full armor of God, so that you will be able to (M)resist on (N)the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm therefore, (O)having belted your waist with truth, and having (P)put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having (Q)strapped on your feet the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 [b]in addition to all, taking up the (R)shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the (S)flaming arrows of (T)the evil one. 17 And take (U)the helmet of salvation and the (V)sword of the Spirit, which is (W)the word of God.

18 [c]With every (X)prayer and request, [d](Y)pray at all times (Z)in the Spirit, and with this in view, [e](AA)be alert with all (AB)perseverance and every (AC)request for all the [f]saints,

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:12 Lit blood and flesh
  2. Ephesians 6:16 Lit in all
  3. Ephesians 6:18 Lit Through
  4. Ephesians 6:18 Lit praying
  5. Ephesians 6:18 Lit being
  6. Ephesians 6:18 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people

The Whole Armor of God

10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. 6:12 Some manuscripts read you.
  2. 6:15 Or For shoes, put on the readiness to preach the Good News of peace with God.
  3. 6:16 Greek the evil one.
  4. 6:18 Greek all of God’s holy people.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(A) and in his mighty power.(B) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(E) against the powers(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(G) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(J) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(K) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(M) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(N) and the sword of the Spirit,(O) which is the word of God.(P)

18 And pray in the Spirit(Q) on all occasions(R) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(S) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(T) for all the Lord’s people.

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