Epistula ad Ephesios, 4

1. Obsecro itaque vos ego, vinctus in Domino, ut digne ambuletis vocatione, qua vocati estis,

1. I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called,

2. cum omni humilitate et mansuetudine, cum longanimitate, supportantes invicem in caritate,

2. with all lowliness and meekness, with patience, forbearing one another in love,

3. solliciti servare unitatem spiritus in vinculo pacis;

3. eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

4. unum corpus et unus Spiritus, sicut et vocati estis in una spe vocationis vestrae;

4. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,

5. unus Dominus, una fides, unum baptisma;

5. one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

6. unus Deus et Pater omnium, qui super omnes et per omnia et in omnibus.

6. one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in all.

7. Unicuique autem nostrum data est gratia secundum mensuram donationis Christi.

7. But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift.

8. Propter quod dicit: “Ascendens in altum captivam duxit captivitatem, dedit dona hominibus”.

8. Therefore it is said, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men."

9. Illud autem “ascendit” quid est, nisi quia et descendit in inferiores partes terrae?

9. (In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

10. Qui descendit, ipse est et qui ascendit super omnes caelos, ut impleret omnia.

10. He who descended is he who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.)

11. Et ipse dedit quosdam quidem apostolos, quosdam autem prophetas, alios vero evangelistas, alios autem pastores et doctores

11. And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,

12. ad instructionem sanctorum in opus ministerii, in aedificationem corporis Christi,

12. to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

13. donec occurramus omnes in unitatem fidei et agnitionis Filii Dei, in virum perfectum, in mensuram aetatis plenitudinis Christi,

13. until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ;

14. ut iam non simus parvuli fluctuantes et circumacti omni vento doctrinae in fallacia hominum, in astutia ad circumventionem erroris;

14. so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning of men, by their craftiness in deceitful wiles.

15. veritatem autem facientes in caritate crescamus in illum per omnia, qui est caput Christus,

15. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

16. ex quo totum corpus compactum et conexum per omnem iuncturam subministrationis secundum operationem in mensura uniuscuiusque partis augmentum corporis facit in aedificationem sui in caritate.

16. from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every joint with which it is supplied, when each part is working properly, makes bodily growth and upbuilds itself in love.

17. Hoc igitur dico et testificor in Domino, ut iam non ambuletis, sicut et gentes ambulant in vanitate sensus sui

17. Now this I affirm and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds;

18. tenebris obscuratum habentes intellectum, alienati a vita Dei propter ignorantiam, quae est in illis propter caecitatem cordis ipsorum;

18. they are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart;

19. qui indolentes semetipsos tradiderunt impudicitiae in operationem immunditiae omnis in avaritia.

19. they have become callous and have given themselves up to licentiousness, greedy to practice every kind of uncleanness.

20. Vos autem non ita didicistis Christum,

20. You did not so learn Christ! --

21. si tamen illum audistis et in ipso edocti estis, sicut est veritas in Iesu:

21. assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus.

22. deponere vos secundum pristinam conversationem veterem hominem, qui corrumpitur secundum desideria erroris,

22. Put off your old nature which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful lusts,

23. renovari autem spiritu mentis vestrae

23. and be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

24. et induere novum hominem, qui secundum Deum creatus est in iustitia et sanctitate veritatis.

24. and put on the new nature, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25. Propter quod deponentes mendacium loquimini veritatem unusquisque cum proximo suo, quoniam sumus invicem membra.

25. Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

26. Irascimini et nolite peccare; sol non occidat super iracundiam vestram,

26. Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,

27. et nolite locum dare Diabolo.

27. and give no opportunity to the devil.

28. Qui furabatur, iam non furetur, magis autem laboret operando manibus bonum, ut habeat unde tribuat necessitatem patienti.

28. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.

29. Omnis sermo malus ex ore vestro non procedat, sed si quis bonus ad aedificationem opportunitatis, ut det gratiam audientibus.

29. Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.

30. Et nolite contristare Spiritum Sanctum Dei, in quo signati estis in diem redemptionis.

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

31. Omnis amaritudo et ira et indignatio et clamor et blasphemia tollatur a vobis cum omni malitia.

31. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice,

32. Estote autem invicem benigni, misericordes, donantes invicem, sicut et Deus in Christo donavit vobis.

32. and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.