⁶ We have different gifts,^(A) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,^(B) then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith;^{(C) 7} if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;^{(D) 8} if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;^(E) if it is giving, then give generously;^(F) if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Love in Action

⁹ Love must be sincere.^(G) Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.^{(H) 10} Be devoted to one another in love.^(I) Honor one another above yourselves.^{(J) 11} Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor,^(K) serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope,^(L) patient in affliction,^(M) faithful in prayer.^{(N) 13} Share with the Lord’s people who are in need.^(O) Practice hospitality.^(P)

¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you;^(Q) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.^{(R) 16} Live in harmony with one another.^(S) Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.^[c] Do not be conceited.^(T)

¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(U) Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.^{(V) 18} If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(W) 19} Do not take revenge,^(X) my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”^[d](Y) says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^(A) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

⁴ There is one body^(A) and one Spirit,^(B) just as you were called to one hope when you were called^(C); ⁵ one Lord,^(D) one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all,^(E) who is over all and through all and in all.^(F)

⁷ But to each one of us^(G) grace^(H) has been given^(I) as Christ apportioned it. ⁸ This is why it^[a] says:

⁹ (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions^[c]? ¹⁰ He who descended is the very one who ascended^(L) higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)^{(M) 11} So Christ himself gave^(N) the apostles,^(O) the prophets,^(P) the evangelists,^(Q) the pastors and teachers,^{(R) 12} to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ^(S) may be built up^{(T) 13} until we all reach unity^(U) in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God^(V) and become mature,^(W) attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.^(X)

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants,^(Y) tossed back and forth by the waves,^(Z) and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.^{(AA) 15} Instead, speaking the truth in love,^(AB) we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head,^(AC) that is, Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows^(AD) and builds itself up^(AE) in love,^(AF) as each part does its work.

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(AG) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(AH) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(AI) and separated from the life of God^(AJ) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(AK) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(AL) they have given themselves over^(AM) to sensuality^(AN) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(AO) your old self,^(AP) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(AQ) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(AR) 24} and to put on^(AS) the new self,^(AT) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(AU)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(AV) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(AW) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[d]:^(AX) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(AY) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(AZ) doing something useful with their own hands,^(BA) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(BB)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(BC) but only what is helpful for building others up^(BD) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(BE) with whom you were sealed^(BF) for the day of redemption.^{(BG) 31} Get rid of^(BH) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(BI) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(BJ) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(BK)

¹¹ So Christ himself gave^(A) the apostles,^(B) the prophets,^(C) the evangelists,^(D) the pastors and teachers,^(E)

⁴ God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles,^(A) and by gifts of the Holy Spirit^(B) distributed according to his will.^(C)