¹⁹ “Come, follow me,”^(A) Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”

¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.^{(A) 19} Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,^(B) baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 20} and teaching^(D) them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you^(E) always, to the very end of the age.”^(F)

² Do not conform^(A) to the pattern of this world,^(B) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.^(C) Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is^(D)—his good, pleasing^(E) and perfect will.

¹¹ So Christ himself gave^(A) the apostles,^(B) the prophets,^(C) the evangelists,^(D) the pastors and teachers,^{(E) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(F) may be built up^{(G) 13} until 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)

¹⁴ Then 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) 15} Instead, 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. ¹⁶ From 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.

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(T) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(U) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(V) and separated from the life of God^(W) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(X) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(Y) they have given themselves over^(Z) to sensuality^(AA) 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^(AB) your old self,^(AC) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(AD) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(AE) 24} and to put on^(AF) the new self,^(AG) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(AH)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(AI) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(AJ) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[a]:^(AK) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(AL) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(AM) doing something useful with their own hands,^(AN) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(AO)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(AP) but only what is helpful for building others up^(AQ) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(AR) with whom you were sealed^(AS) for the day of redemption.^{(AT) 31} Get rid of^(AU) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(AV) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(AW) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(AX) 5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(AY) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(AZ) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(BA) and gave himself up for us^(BB) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(BC)