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 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,

3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

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

5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism,

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

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

8 Therefore it says, »When he ascended on high, he led a host of captives,and he gave gifts to men.«

9 (In saying, »He ascended,« what does it mean except that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

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

11 And he gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers,

12 to equip the saints for the work of service, for the building up of the body of Christ;