Put On the New Self
(Ephesians 4:17–32) 1Therefore,sinceyou have been raised withChrist,strive forthe thingsabove,whereChristisseatedatthe right handof God.2Set your minds onthingsabove,notonearthlythings.3Foryou died,andyourlifeis now hiddenwithChristinGod.4WhenChrist,who isyourlife,appears,thenyoualsowill appearwithHiminglory. 5Put to death,therefore,thecomponentsof yourearthly nature:sexual immorality,impurity,lust,evildesires,andgreed,whichisidolatry.6Because ofthese,thewrathof Godis comingonthesonsofdisobedience.7Whenyou livedamongthem,youalsoused towalkinthese ways.8Butnowyoumust put asideall such things as these:anger,rage,malice,slander,and filthy languagefromyourlips. 9Do notlietoone another,since you have taken offtheoldselfwithitspractices,10andhave put onthenew self,which isbeing renewedinknowledgeinthe imageofitsCreator.11Herethere isnoGreekorJew,circumcisedoruncircumcised,barbarian,Scythian,slave,or free,butChrist isallandis inall. 12Therefore,asthe electof God,holyandbeloved,clothe yourselves withheartsof compassion,kindness,humility,gentleness,and patience.13Bear withone anotherandforgiveanycomplaintyou may haveagainstsomeone else.ForgiveastheLordforgaveyou.14Andoverallthese virtuesput on love,whichisthe bondof perfect unity.15Let thepeaceof Christruleinyourhearts,for tothisyou were calledas members ofonebody.Andbethankful. 16Let thewordof Christrichlydwellwithinyouas you teachandadmonishone anotherwithallwisdom,and as you singpsalms,hymns,and spiritualsongswithgratitudeinyourheartstoGod.17Andwhateveryou do,inwordordeed,do it allinthe nameof the LordJesus,giving thanksto Godthe FatherthroughHim. Christian Households
(Ephesians 6:1–4) 18Wives,submitto yourhusbands,asis fittinginthe Lord. 19Husbands,loveyourwivesanddo notbe harshwiththem. 20Children,obeyyourparentsineverything,forthisispleasingtothe Lord. 21Fathers,do notprovokeyourchildren,sothey will not become discouraged. Serving with Honor
(Ephesians 6:5–9;1 Timothy 6:1–2) 22Slaves,obeyyourearthlymastersineverything,not onlyto please themwhile they are watching,butwithsincerityof heartand fearof theLord. 23Whateveryou do,work at itwith your whole being,fortheLordandnotfor men,24because you knowthatyou will receivean inheritancefromthe Lordas yourreward.It is theLordChristyou are serving.25Whoeverdoes wrongwill be repaid forhis wrong,andthere isnofavoritism. |
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