I, therefore, the prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live worthily of the calling with which you have been called,

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you too were called to the one hope of your calling,

Now what is the meaning of “he ascended,” except that he also descended to the lower regions, namely, the earth?

He, the very one who descended, is also the one who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fill all things.

if indeed you heard about him and were taught in him, just as the truth is in Jesus.

You were taught with reference to your former way of life to lay aside the old man who is being corrupted in accordance with deceitful desires,

Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

Instead, be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.

“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely,

For I am sure of this very thing, that the one who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

so that you can decide what is best, and thus be sincere and blameless for the day of Christ,

I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that my situation has actually turned out to advance the gospel:

so that what you can be proud of may increase because of me in Christ Jesus, when I come back to you.

but emptied himself by taking on the form of a slave, by looking like other men, and by sharing in human nature.

But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice together with all of you.

Therefore let those of us who are “perfect” embrace this point of view. If you think otherwise, God will reveal to you the error of your ways.

since we heard about your faith in Christ Jesus and the love that you have for all the saints.

You learned the gospel from Epaphras, our dear fellow slave – a faithful minister of Christ on our behalf –

When Christ (who is your life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.