Ephesians 4
Worldwide English (New Testament)
4 I am a prisoner who belongs to the Lord. I beg you, live the way people should live who have been called by God.
2 Do not be proud at all. Be very humble. Love one another and be patient with each other.
3 The Spirit has made you all one. Try to stay like that. May you be at peace with one another.
4 There is one body of Christ and one Spirit. When God called you, there was one hope before you in your calling.
5 There is one Lord, one way to believe, and one baptism.
6 There is one God and Father of us all. He is over all. He works through all. And he is living in us all.
7 But each one of us has received a blessing, whatever amount Christ has given to each one.
8 So then, the holy writings say, `When Christ went up to heaven he took those he had won with him. And he gave gifts to men.'
9 Now, what does `he went up' mean? Does it not mean that he also came down to the earth below?
10 The one who came down is the same one who went up higher than all the heavens. He did this so that he would be everywhere.
11 The gifts he gave are these: some are to be apostles; some prophets; some evangelists; some pastors and teachers.
12 These gifts are to make God's people better able to do their work for him and to make the body of Christ become stronger.
13 The gifts are given so that we will all believe the one way and all know the Son of God. They are given so that we will be really grown-up Christians, like Christ himself.
14 The body of Christ must grow so that we will no longer be like children. We are like children when we are pushed this way and that way. We change our minds every time people bring a different teaching. Some teachers teach the lies of men and fool people so that they believe wrong things.
15 We must say what is true and say it with love. In that way we will grow up in all things to be like Christ, who is the head of this body.
16 The whole body is joined and held together by every joint that it has. It is from Christ that the whole body grows as each different part does its work. It grows so that it becomes stronger in love.
17 Here then is what the Lord has told me to say. You must not live like the people who do not believe in God. They do not think clearly.
18 Their minds are dark. They are far away from God's life because they do not know the truth. They have no love in their hearts.
19 Nothing makes them ashamed anymore. They live a very bad life. They do every kind of wrong thing. And they always want to do it more.
20 That is not what you have learned from Christ!
21 You were taught by him, and Jesus has the truth!
22 Stop being the person you used to be in your old life. That person was bad because he wanted to do wrong things.
23 Have a new mind and heart.
24 Be a new person. That new person has been made like God. He does what is right and holy because he knows the truth.
25 So stop telling lies. Tell the truth to each other. We all are parts of the same body.
26 When you are angry, do not do anything wrong. And do not stay angry after the sun goes down.
27 Do not let the devil control you.
28 The person who used to steal must not steal now. But he must do some good work with his own hands. Then he will have something to give to the poor people.
29 Do not let any bad words come out of your mouth. But say good things that will help people. Then those who hear you will also be blessed by what you say.
30 Do nothing that makes the Holy Spirit feel sad. He is the mark God has put on you until the day you will belong to God altogether.
31 You must stop all hate, big and small anger, loud talk, saying wrong things about people, and all wanting to do wrong things to people.
32 Be kind to one another. Have a loving and understanding heart. Forgive one another because God has forgiven you for Christ's sake.
以弗所書 4
Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Traditional)
勸門徒合而為一
4 我為主被囚的勸你們:既然蒙召,行事為人就當與蒙召的恩相稱, 2 凡事謙虛、溫柔、忍耐,用愛心互相寬容, 3 用和平彼此聯絡,竭力保守聖靈所賜合而為一的心。 4 身體只有一個,聖靈只有一個,正如你們蒙召同有一個指望; 5 一主,一信,一洗, 6 一神,就是眾人的父,超乎眾人之上,貫乎眾人之中,也住在眾人之內。 7 我們各人蒙恩,都是照基督所量給各人的恩賜。 8 所以經上說:「他升上高天的時候,擄掠了仇敵,將各樣的恩賜賞給人。」 9 (既說升上,豈不是先降在地下嗎? 10 那降下的,就是遠升諸天之上要充滿萬有的。)
滿有基督長成的身量
11 他所賜的有使徒,有先知,有傳福音的,有牧師和教師, 12 為要成全聖徒,各盡其職,建立基督的身體, 13 直等到我們眾人在真道上同歸於一,認識神的兒子,得以長大成人,滿有基督長成的身量, 14 使我們不再做小孩子,中了人的詭計和欺騙的法術,被一切異教之風搖動飄來飄去,就隨從各樣的異端, 15 唯用愛心說誠實話,凡事長進,連於元首基督。 16 全身都靠他聯絡得合式,百節各按各職,照著各體的功用彼此相助,便叫身體漸漸增長,在愛中建立自己。
凡事效法基督
17 所以我說,且在主裡確實地說:你們行事不要再像外邦人,存虛妄的心行事。 18 他們心地昏昧,與神所賜的生命隔絕了,都因自己無知,心裡剛硬; 19 良心既然喪盡,就放縱私慾,貪行種種的汙穢。
穿上新人
20 你們學了基督,卻不是這樣。 21 如果你們聽過他的道,領了他的教,學了他的真理, 22 就要脫去你們從前行為上的舊人,這舊人是因私慾的迷惑漸漸變壞的; 23 又要將你們的心志改換一新, 24 並且穿上新人,這新人是照著神的形象造的,有真理的仁義和聖潔。
不可給魔鬼留地步
25 所以你們要棄絕謊言,各人與鄰舍說實話,因為我們是互相為肢體。 26 生氣卻不要犯罪,不可含怒到日落, 27 也不可給魔鬼留地步。 28 從前偷竊的,不要再偷,總要勞力,親手做正經事,就可有餘,分給那缺少的人。
不要叫聖靈擔憂
29 汙穢的言語一句不可出口,只要隨事說造就人的好話,叫聽見的人得益處。 30 不要叫神的聖靈擔憂,你們原是受了他的印記,等候得贖的日子來到。 31 一切苦毒、惱恨、憤怒、嚷鬧、毀謗,並一切的惡毒[a],都當從你們中間除掉; 32 並要以恩慈相待,存憐憫的心,彼此饒恕,正如神在基督裡饒恕了你們一樣。
Footnotes
- 以弗所書 4:31 或作:陰毒。
Ephesians 4
Lexham English Bible
Christians Should Live in Unity
4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, exhort you to live in a manner worthy of the calling with which you were called: 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, putting up with one another in love, 3 being eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace; 4 one body and one Spirit (just as also you were called with one hope of your calling), 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
Gifted Leaders Bring the Church to Maturity
7 Now to each one of us was given this grace, according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,
“Ascending on high he led captivity captive;
he gave gifts to men.”[a]
9 Now “he ascended,” what is it, except that he also descended[b] to the lower regions of the earth? 10 The one who descended himself is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order that he might fill all things.
11 And he himself gave some as apostles and some as prophets and some as evangelists and some as pastors and teachers 12 for the equipping of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all reach the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to a measure of the maturity of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be infants, tossed about by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching, by the trickery of people, by craftiness with reference to the scheming of deceit. 15 But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined together and held together by every supporting ligament, according to the working by measure of each single part, the growth of the body makes for the building up of itself in love.
Appeal for New Behavior
17 This therefore I say and testify in the Lord, that you no longer walk as the Gentiles walk: in the futility of their mind, 18 being darkened in understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart, 19 who, becoming callous, gave themselves over to licentiousness, for the pursuit of all uncleanness in greediness.
20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard about him, and you were taught by him (just as truth is in Jesus), 22 that you take off, according to your former way of life, the old man, who is being destroyed according to deceitful desires, 23 be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man (in accordance with God), who is created in righteousness and holiness from the truth.
Old Behavior, New Behavior, and Motivation
25 Therefore, putting aside the lie, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor,[c] because we are members of one another. 26 Be angry and do not sin;[d] do not let the sun set on your anger, 27 nor give place to the devil. 28 The one who steals must steal no longer, but instead must labor, working with his own hands what is good, so that he may have something to share with the one who has need. 29 No rotten word must proceed[e] from your mouth, but only something good for the building up of the need, in order that it may give grace to those who hear, 30 and do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 All bitterness, and rage, and wrath, and clamor, and abusive speech, must be removed from you, together with all wickedness. 32 Become[f] kind toward one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as also God in Christ has forgiven you.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 4:8 A quotation from Ps 68:18
- Ephesians 4:9 Some secondary manuscripts add “first”
- Ephesians 4:25 An allusion to Zech 8:16
- Ephesians 4:26 An allusion to Ps 4:4
- Ephesians 4:29 Literally “Every rotten word must not proceed”
- Ephesians 4:32 Some manuscripts have “But become”
Ephesians 4
King James Version
4 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye 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 you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9 (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.)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:
27 Neither give place to the devil.
28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Ephesians 4
New International Version
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.
Instructions for Christian Living
17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer(AN) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.(AO) 18 They are darkened in their understanding(AP) and separated from the life of God(AQ) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.(AR) 19 Having lost all sensitivity,(AS) they have given themselves over(AT) to sensuality(AU) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
20 That, however, is not the way of life you learned 21 when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off(AV) your old self,(AW) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;(AX) 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;(AY) 24 and to put on(AZ) the new self,(BA) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.(BB)
25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully(BC) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.(BD) 26 “In your anger do not sin”[d]:(BE) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.(BF) 28 Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,(BG) doing something useful with their own hands,(BH) that they may have something to share with those in need.(BI)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,(BJ) but only what is helpful for building others up(BK) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,(BL) with whom you were sealed(BM) for the day of redemption.(BN) 31 Get rid of(BO) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(BP) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,(BQ) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(BR)
Footnotes
- Ephesians 4:8 Or God
- Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
- Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth
- Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)
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