Ephesians 4:11-16

New International Version

¹¹So Christ himself gave^(A) the apostles,^(B) the prophets,^(C) the evangelists,^(D) the pastors and teachers,^(E) ¹²to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(F) may be built up^(G) ¹³until we all reach unity^(H) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(I) and become mature,^(J) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(K)

¹⁴Then we will no longer be infants,^(L) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(M) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^(N) ¹⁵Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(O) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(P) that is, Christ. ¹⁶From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(Q) and builds itself up^(R) in love,^(S) as each part does its work.

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Psalm 127-129

New International Version

Psalm 127

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

¹Unless the Lord builds^(A) the house,
    the builders labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches^(B) over the city,
    the guards stand watch in vain.
²In vain you rise early
    and stay up late,
toiling for food^(C) to eat—
    for he grants sleep^(D) to^[a] those he loves.^(E)

³Children are a heritage from the Lord,
    offspring a reward^(F) from him.
⁴Like arrows^(G) in the hands of a warrior
    are children born in one’s youth.
⁵Blessed is the man
    whose quiver is full of them.^(H)
They will not be put to shame
    when they contend with their opponents^(I) in court.^(J)

Psalm 128

A song of ascents.

¹Blessed are all who fear the Lord,^(K)
    who walk in obedience to him.^(L)
²You will eat the fruit of your labor;^(M)
    blessings and prosperity^(N) will be yours.
³Your wife will be like a fruitful vine^(O)
    within your house;
your children^(P) will be like olive shoots^(Q)
    around your table.
⁴Yes, this will be the blessing^(R)
    for the man who fears the Lord.^(S)

⁵May the Lord bless you from Zion;^(T)
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem^(U)
    all the days of your life.
⁶May you live to see your children’s children—^(V)
    peace be on Israel.^(W)

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

¹“They have greatly oppressed^(X) me from my youth,”^(Y)
    let Israel say;^(Z)
²“they have greatly oppressed me from my youth,
    but they have not gained the victory^(AA) over me.
³Plowmen have plowed my back
    and made their furrows long.
⁴But the Lord is righteous;^(AB)
    he has cut me free^(AC) from the cords of the wicked.”^(AD)

⁵May all who hate Zion^(AE)
    be turned back in shame.^(AF)
⁶May they be like grass on the roof,^(AG)
    which withers^(AH) before it can grow;
⁷a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,^(AI)
    nor one who gathers fill his arms.
⁸May those who pass by not say to them,
    “The blessing of the Lord be on you;
    we bless you^(AJ) in the name of the Lord.”