Thriving in Uncertain Times to Gain a Confident Future

Children Used by God in the Bible

How to Have a Quiet Time With God

The Power of a Praying Couple

Breaking the Silence of Domestic Abuse

Messy House, Clean Heart: A 5(ish)-Day Reading Plan From Dana K. White

Quiet Time Moments for Women

What God Won't Do

199 Prayers for My Adult Child

How to Deal With Complicated People

The Listener’s Bible®: NIV Edition

New International Version™  (Anglicised), Audio Edition

Holy Bible, New International Version™ (Anglicised), South Asian Audio Edition

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkEPH">
      <div class="chapter ch4" data-usfm="EPH.4">
         <div class="label">4</div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="EPH.4.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. </span></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="EPH.4.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. </span></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="EPH.4.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. </span></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="EPH.4.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; </span></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="EPH.4.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">one Lord, one faith, one baptism; </span></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EPH.4.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="EPH.4.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="EPH.4.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. </span></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EPH.4.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">This is why it</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">4:8 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">God</span></span></span><span class="content"> says:</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EPH.4.8"><span class="content">&#8220;When he ascended on high,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EPH.4.8"><span class="content">he took many captives</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EPH.4.8"><span class="content">and gave gifts to his people.&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">4:8 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" usfm="PSA.68.18">Psalm 68:18</span></span></span></span></span></div><div class="m"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="EPH.4.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="EPH.4.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">(What does &#8220;he ascended&#8221; mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">4:9 </span><span class="ft">Or </span><span class="fqa">the depths of the earth</span></span></span><span class="content">? </span></span><span class="verse v10" data-usfm="EPH.4.10"><span class="label">10</span><span class="content">He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) </span></span><span class="verse v11" data-usfm="EPH.4.11"><span class="label">11</span><span class="content">So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, </span></span><span class="verse v12" data-usfm="EPH.4.12"><span class="label">12</span><span class="content">to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up </span></span><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EPH.4.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">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.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="EPH.4.13"></span><span class="verse v14" data-usfm="EPH.4.14"><span class="label">14</span><span class="content">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 people in their deceitful scheming. </span></span><span class="verse v15" data-usfm="EPH.4.15"><span class="label">15</span><span class="content">Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. </span></span><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EPH.4.16"><span class="label">16</span><span class="content">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.</span></span></div><div class="s1"><span class="heading">Instructions for Christian Living</span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v16" data-usfm="EPH.4.16"></span><span class="verse v17" data-usfm="EPH.4.17"><span class="label">17</span><span class="content">So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. </span></span><span class="verse v18" data-usfm="EPH.4.18"><span class="label">18</span><span class="content">They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. </span></span><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EPH.4.19"><span class="label">19</span><span class="content">Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v19" data-usfm="EPH.4.19"></span><span class="verse v20" data-usfm="EPH.4.20"><span class="label">20</span><span class="content">That, however, is not the way of life you learned </span></span><span class="verse v21" data-usfm="EPH.4.21"><span class="label">21</span><span class="content">when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. </span></span><span class="verse v22" data-usfm="EPH.4.22"><span class="label">22</span><span class="content">You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; </span></span><span class="verse v23" data-usfm="EPH.4.23"><span class="label">23</span><span class="content">to be made new in the attitude of your minds; </span></span><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EPH.4.24"><span class="label">24</span><span class="content">and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v24" data-usfm="EPH.4.24"></span><span class="verse v25" data-usfm="EPH.4.25"><span class="label">25</span><span class="content">Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. </span></span><span class="verse v26" data-usfm="EPH.4.26"><span class="label">26</span><span class="content">&#8220;In your anger do not sin&#8221;</span><span class="note f"><span class="label">#</span><span class="body"><span class="fr">4:26 </span><span class="ft"><span class="ref" usfm="PSA.4.4">Psalm 4:4</span> (see Septuagint)</span></span></span><span class="content">: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, </span></span><span class="verse v27" data-usfm="EPH.4.27"><span class="label">27</span><span class="content">and do not give the devil a foothold. </span></span><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EPH.4.28"><span class="label">28</span><span class="content">Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.</span></span></div><div class="p"><span class="verse v28" data-usfm="EPH.4.28"></span><span class="verse v29" data-usfm="EPH.4.29"><span class="label">29</span><span class="content">Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. </span></span><span class="verse v30" data-usfm="EPH.4.30"><span class="label">30</span><span class="content">And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. </span></span><span class="verse v31" data-usfm="EPH.4.31"><span class="label">31</span><span class="content">Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. </span></span><span class="verse v32" data-usfm="EPH.4.32"><span class="label">32</span><span class="content">Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkPSA">
      <div class="chapter ch28" data-usfm="PSA.28">
         <div class="label">28</div><div class="cl"><span class="heading">Psalm 28</span></div><div class="d"><span class="content">Of David.</span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.28.1"><span class="label">1</span><span class="content">To you, </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">, I call;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.28.1"><span class="content">you are my Rock,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.28.1"><span class="content">do not turn a deaf ear to me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.28.1"><span class="content">For if you remain silent,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.28.1"><span class="content">I will be like those who go down to the pit.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v1" data-usfm="PSA.28.1"></span><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.28.2"><span class="label">2</span><span class="content">Hear my cry for mercy</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.28.2"><span class="content">as I call to you for help,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.28.2"><span class="content">as I lift up my hands</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.28.2"><span class="content">toward your Most Holy Place.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.28.2"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v2" data-usfm="PSA.28.2"></span><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.28.3"><span class="label">3</span><span class="content">Do not drag me away with the wicked,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.28.3"><span class="content">with those who do evil,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.28.3"><span class="content">who speak cordially with their neighbors</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.28.3"><span class="content">but harbor malice in their hearts.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v3" data-usfm="PSA.28.3"></span><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.28.4"><span class="label">4</span><span class="content">Repay them for their deeds</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.28.4"><span class="content">and for their evil work;</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.28.4"><span class="content">repay them for what their hands have done</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.28.4"><span class="content">and bring back on them what they deserve.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.28.4"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v4" data-usfm="PSA.28.4"></span><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.28.5"><span class="label">5</span><span class="content">Because they have no regard for the deeds of the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.28.5"><span class="content">and what his hands have done,</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.28.5"><span class="content">he will tear them down</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.28.5"><span class="content">and never build them up again.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.28.5"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v5" data-usfm="PSA.28.5"></span><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.28.6"><span class="label">6</span><span class="content">Praise be to the </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content">,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.28.6"><span class="content">for he has heard my cry for mercy.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v6" data-usfm="PSA.28.6"></span><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.28.7"><span class="label">7</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is my strength and my shield;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.28.7"><span class="content">my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.28.7"><span class="content">My heart leaps for joy,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.28.7"><span class="content">and with my song I praise him.</span></span></div><div class="b"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.28.7"></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v7" data-usfm="PSA.28.7"></span><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.28.8"><span class="label">8</span><span class="content">The </span><span class="nd"><span class="content">Lord</span></span><span class="content"> is the strength of his people,</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.28.8"><span class="content">a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.</span></span></div><div class="q1"><span class="verse v8" data-usfm="PSA.28.8"></span><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.28.9"><span class="label">9</span><span class="content">Save your people and bless your inheritance;</span></span></div><div class="q2"><span class="verse v9" data-usfm="PSA.28.9"><span class="content">be their shepherd and carry them forever.</span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

New International Version

<div class="version vid111 iso6393eng" data-vid="111" data-iso6393="eng">
   <div class="book bkCOL">
      <div class="chapter ch1" data-usfm="COL.1.13">
         <div class="p"><span class="verse v13" data-usfm="COL.1.13"><span class="label">13</span><span class="content">For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, </span></span></div>
      </div>
   </div>
</div>

Strong Disciples OneSample

Scripture

About this Plan

Related plans