7 But grace was given to ^yeach one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore it says,

9 (In saying, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth?² 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended ^afar above all the heavens, that he might ^bfill all things.) 11 And he gave ^cthe apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds³ and teachers,⁴ 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the ^dbody of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to ^emature manhood,⁵ to the measure of the stature of the ^ffullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be ^gchildren, ^htossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, ⁱby human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the ^jhead, into Christ, 16 ^kfrom whom the whole body, ^ljoined and ^mheld together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, ^zbe strong in the Lord and in the ^astrength of his might. 11 ^bPut on the ^cwhole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the ^drulers, against the authorities, against the ^ecosmic powers over this present ^fdarkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the ^gheavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the ^hevil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the ⁱbelt of truth, and having put on the ^jbreastplate of righteousness, 15 and, as ^kshoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up the ^lshield of faith, with which you can ^mextinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the ⁿhelmet of salvation, and the ^osword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 ^ppraying ^qat all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, ^rkeep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and ^salso for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth ^tboldly to proclaim the ^umystery of the gospel,