19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,(A) impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.(B) I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.(C)

22 But the fruit(D) of the Spirit is love,(E) joy, peace,(F) forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.(G) Against such things there is no law.(H) 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh(I) with its passions and desires.(J) 25 Since we live by the Spirit,(K) let us keep in step with the Spirit.

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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(A) your old self,(B) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;(C) 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds;(D) 24 and to put on(E) the new self,(F) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.(G)

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

29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,(O) but only what is helpful for building others up(P) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,(Q) with whom you were sealed(R) for the day of redemption.(S) 31 Get rid of(T) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.(U) 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another,(V) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(W)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:26 Psalm 4:4 (see Septuagint)

Put to death,(A) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:(B) sexual immorality,(C) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,(D) which is idolatry.(E) Because of these, the wrath of God(F) is coming.[a] You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.(G) But now you must also rid yourselves(H) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,(I) and filthy language from your lips.(J) Do not lie to each other,(K) since you have taken off your old self(L) with its practices 10 and have put on the new self,(M) which is being renewed(N) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.(O) 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew,(P) circumcised or uncircumcised,(Q) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,(R) but Christ is all,(S) and is in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(T) with compassion, kindness, humility,(U) gentleness and patience.(V) 13 Bear with each other(W) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(X) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(Y) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(Z)

15 Let the peace of Christ(AA) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(AB) you were called to peace.(AC) And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ(AD) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(AE) through psalms,(AF) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(AG)

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient

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