Now grace was given to each one of us(A) according to the measure of the Messiah’s gift. For it says:

When He ascended(B) on high,
He took prisoners into captivity;[a]
He gave gifts to people.(C)[b]

But what does “He ascended” mean except that He[c] descended to the lower parts of the earth?[d](D)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or He led the captives
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Ps 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Other mss add first
  4. Ephesians 4:9 Or the lower parts, namely, the earth

But to each one of us(A) grace(B) has been given(C) as Christ apportioned it. This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
    he took many captives(D)
    and gave gifts to his people.”[b](E)

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]?

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:8 Or God
  2. Ephesians 4:8 Psalm 68:18
  3. Ephesians 4:9 Or the depths of the earth