¹² But to all who did receive^(A) him,^(B) he gave them the right^(C) to be^[a] children^(D) of God,^(E) to those who believe^(F) in his name,^(G)

Unity in Christ

¹¹ So, then, remember that at one time you were Gentiles in the flesh—called “the uncircumcised” by those called “the circumcised,”^(A) which is done in the flesh by human hands.^{(B) 12} At that time you were without Christ, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, and foreigners to the covenants of promise,^(C) without hope^(D) and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood^(E) of Christ. ¹⁴ For he is our peace, who made both groups one^(F) and tore down the dividing wall of hostility. In his flesh, ¹⁵ he made of no effect the law consisting of commands and expressed in regulations, so that he might create^(G) in himself one^(H) new man from the two, resulting in peace. ¹⁶ He did this so that he might reconcile both to God in one body^(I) through the cross by which he put the hostility to death.^{[a] 17} He came and proclaimed the good news^(J) of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.^{(K) 18} For through him we both have access^(L) in one Spirit to the Father.^{(M) 19} So, then, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets,^(N) with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building, being put together,^(O) grows into a holy temple in the Lord.^{(P) 22} In him you are also being built together^(Q) for God’s dwelling^(R) in the Spirit.

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord,^(A) urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility^(B) and gentleness, with patience,^(C) bearing^(D) with one another in love,^{(E) 3} making every effort to keep the unity^(F) of the Spirit^(G) through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit^(H)—just as you were called to one hope^[a](I) at your calling— ⁵ one Lord,^(J) one faith,^(K) one baptism, ⁶ one God^(L) and Father^(M) of all, who is above all and through all and in all.^(N)

⁷ Now grace was given to each one of us^(O) according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ For it says:

⁹ But what does “he ascended” mean except that he^[c] also descended to the lower parts of the earth?^{[d](R) 10} The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,^(S) to fill all things.^{(T) 11} And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,^{(U) 13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,^(V) growing into maturity with a stature^(W) measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching,^(X) by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head^(Y)—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together^(Z) by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth^(AA) of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

⁸ We cared so much for you that we were pleased to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, ²⁵ not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other,^(A) and all the more as you see the day approaching.