KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT

Ephesians 4:1-16

As a Prisoner for the Lord, then,

I Urge you to live a life

Worthy of the Calling you have received.

2 Be Completely Humble and Gentle; be Patient,

Bearing with one another in love.

3 MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT

Through the Bond of Peace.

4 There is One Body and One Spirit--

THERE IS ONE BODY AND ONE SPIRIT--

Just as you were Called to One Hope when you were Called--

5 ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM;

6 ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL,

Who is Over All and Through All and In All.

7 But to each one of us Grace has been given

As Christ Apportioned it.

8 This is why it says:

'When He Ascended on High,

He led Captives in His Train

And gave Gifts to men.'

9 (What does 'He Ascended' mean

Except that He also Descended to the lower regions?

10 He who Descended is the very One

Who Ascended higher than all the heavens,

IN ORDER TO FILL THE WHOLE UNIVERSE.)

11 IT WAS HE WHO GAVE SOME TO BE APOSTLES,

Some to be Prophets, some to be Evangelists,

And some to be Pastors and Teachers,

12 To Prepare God's People for Works of Service,

SO THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST MAY BE BUILT UP

13 UNTIL WE ALL REACH UNITY IN THE FAITH

And in the knowledge of the Son of God

AND BECOME MATURE,

ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE

OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST.

14 Then we will no longer be Infants,

Tossed back and forth by the waves,

And blown here and there by every wind of Teaching

And by the Cunning and Craftiness of men

In their Deceitful scheming.

15 INSTEAD, SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE,

We sill in All Things Grow Up Into Him

Who is the Head, that is Christ.

16 From Him the Whole Body,

Joined and held together by every supporting ligament,

Grows and Builds Itself Up IN LOVE,

As each Part does its Work.

(Ephesians 4:1-16)