Ephesians 4:17-32

Twentieth_Century(i) 17 This, then, as one in union with the Lord, I say to you and urge upon you: Do not continue to live such purposeless lives as the Gentiles live, 18 With their powers of discernment darkened, cut off from the Life of God, owing to the ignorance that prevails among them and to the hardness of their hearts. 19 Lost to all sense of shame, they have abandoned themselves to licentiousness, in order to practice every kind of impurity without restraint. 20 But far different is the lesson you learned from the Christ-- if, that is, you really listened to him, 21 And through union with him were taught the Truth, as it is to be found in Jesus. 22 For you learned with regard to your former way of living that you must cast off your old nature, which, yielding to deluding passions, grows corrupt; 23 That the very spirit of your minds must be constantly renewed; 24 And that you must clothe yourselves in that new nature which was created to resemble God, with the righteousness and holiness springing from the Truth. 25 Since, therefore, you have cast off what is false, 'you must every one of you speak the truth to your neighbors.' For we are united to one another like the parts of a body. 26 'Be angry, yet do not sin.' Do not let the sun go down upon your anger; 27 And give no opportunity to the Devil. 28 Let the man who steals steal no longer, but rather let him toil with his hands at honest work, so that he may have something to share with any one in want. 29 Never let any foul word pass your lips, but only such good words as the occasion demands, that they may be a help to those who hear them. 30 And do not grieve God's Holy Spirit; for it was through that Spirit that God sealed you as his, against the Day of Redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, passion, anger, brawling, and abusive language be banished from among you, as well as all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, ready to forgive one another, just as God, in Christ, forgave you.