Ephesians 4
1 Therefore I, who am in prison because [I serve] the Lord [Jesus], urge you, whom God has chosen [to be his people, to do these things]: Conduct your lives as [God’s people] should.
So ermahne nun euch ich Gefangener in dem HERRN, daß ihr wandelt, wie sich's gebührt eurer Berufung, darinnen ihr berufen seid,
2 Always be humble, and do not demand your own rights. Be patient [with each other], and, because you love each other, endure each other’s ([irritating] behavior/behavior that you do not like).
mit aller Demut und Sanftmut, mit Geduld und vertraget einer den andern in der Liebe
3 [God’s] Spirit has caused you to be united [with one another], so do all that you can to remain united [with one another] by acting peacefully [toward each other].
und seid fleißig, zu halten die Einigkeit im Geist durch das Band des Friedens.
4 [All we believers form just one group] [MET], and we have only one [Holy] Spirit. Similarly, you were chosen {[God] chose you} in order that you all might confidently keep expecting one [set of good] things [from God].
Ein Leib und ein Geist, wie ihr auch berufen seid auf einerlei Hoffnung eurer Berufung.
5 There is only one Lord, [Jesus Christ]. We all believe the same [teaching about him. It was to show that we belong to him] alone that [we had someone] baptize us.
Ein HERR, ein Glaube, eine Taufe,
6 There is one God, who is the [spiritual] Father of all [us believers]. He [rules] over all his people; he enables all his people [to do powerful things] (OR, he sustains all his people); and his [Spirit lives] in all his people.
ein Gott und Vater (unser) aller, der da ist über euch alle und durch euch alle und in euch allen.
7 Christ has generously given to each one of us spiritual gifts, just like he decided to give them.
Einem jeglichen aber unter uns ist gegeben die Gnade nach dem Maß der Gabe Christi.
8 [When Christ gave] gifts to his people, [it was similar to what the Psalmist said about God receiving tribute money] from those whom he had conquered, When he ascended to heaven, he gave as gifts to people the things [that he had taken] from the people whom he captured:
Darum spricht er: Er ist aufgefahren in die Höhe und hat das Gefängnis gefangen geführet und hat den Menschen Gaben gegeben.
9 The words ‘he ascended’ certainly imply/indicate [RHQ] that Christ had also previously descended to the earth.
Daß er aber aufgefahren ist, was ist's, denn daß er zuvor ist hinuntergefahren in die untersten Örter der Erde?
10 Christ, who descended [to earth], is also the one who ascended to the most exalted position in heaven, in order that he might show his power [MTY] throughout the universe.
Der hinuntergefahren ist, das ist derselbige, der aufgefahren ist über alle Himmel, auf daß er alles erfüllete.
11 He appointed some people to be apostles. He appointed some people to be (prophets/ones who reveal messages that come directly from God). He appointed some people to be (evangelists/ones whose work is to tell others the message about Christ). He appointed some people to lead and teach [the congregations].
Und er hat etliche zu Aposteln gesetzt, etliche aber zu Propheten, etliche zu Evangelisten, etliche zu Hirten und Lehrern,
12 [He appointed all of these] in order that they would prepare God’s people to do [God’s] work, so that all the people who belong to Christ [MET] might become [spiritually] mature.
daß die Heiligen zugerichtet werden zum Werk des Amts, dadurch der Leib Christi erbauet werde,
13 He wants all of us [believers] to be united [because] we all believe in the Son of God (OR, the man who was also God) and [because] we all know [him]. He wants us to become spiritually mature; that is, he wants us to be (perfect/all that God wants us to be), [just like] Christ was ([perfect/all that God wanted him to be]).
bis daß wir alle hinankommen zu einerlei Glauben und Erkenntnis des Sohnes Gottes und ein vollkommener Mann werden, der da sei im Maße des vollkommenen Alters Christi,
14 Then we will no longer be [spiritually immature], like [MET] little children [are immature]. We will no longer be constantly [changing what we believe, like] [MET] waves of the sea are [constantly changing as the wind blows and] tosses them back and forth. We will not allow people who teach [what is false] and who scheme to deceive/influence us.
auf daß wir nicht mehr Kinder seien und uns wägen und wiegen lassen von allerlei Wind der Lehre durch Schalkheit der Menschen und Täuscherei, damit sie uns erschleichen zu verführen.
15 Instead, by loving [others] as we behave as [God’s] truth requires (OR, speak in a loving manner what is true), we will become more and more like Christ in every way. He is the one [who controls/guides all his people] [MET], [just like a person’s] head [controls/guides his] body.
Lasset uns aber rechtschaffen sein in der Liebe und wachsen in allen Stücken an dem, der das Haupt ist, Christus,
16 He [enables all those who belong to him to mature spiritually. A person’s body grows stronger, as] each part of the body is joined to the others by the ligaments and as each part (functions properly/works as it should). Similarly, believers will become mature [spiritually] by loving each other and by each of them doing the work [that God wants them to do] [MET].
aus welchem der ganze Leib zusammengefüget, und ein Glied am andern hanget durch alle Gelenke, dadurch eines dem andern Handreichung tut nach dem Werk eines jeglichen Gliedes in seinem Maße und machet, daß der Leib wächset zu seiner selbst Besserung; und das alles in der Liebe:
17 The Lord [Jesus] has authorized me to strongly tell you that you must no longer conduct your lives like unbelievers do. The futile/worthless way in which they think [MET] [controls how they conduct their lives].
So sage ich nun und zeuge in dem HERRN, daß ihr nicht mehr wandelt, wie die andern Heiden wandeln der Eitelkeit ihres Sinnes,
18 They are unable to think clearly [MET] [about what is right and what is wrong]. Because they have decided that they do not want to know about God and because they stubbornly [IDM] refuse to [listen to his message], they do not have the [eternal] life that God [gives us].
welcher Verstand verfinstert ist, und sind entfremdet von dem Leben, das aus Gott ist, durch die Unwissenheit, so in ihnen ist, durch die Blindheit ihres Herzens.
19 The result is that because they have ceased (to care/to be concerned) [about what is right and what is wrong], they have (deliberately committed themselves to doing/wholeheartedly decided to do) the shameful things that their bodies want, and they commit all kinds of immoral acts, and continually are eager to do more of those things.
welche ruchlos sind und ergeben sich der Unzucht und treiben allerlei Unreinigkeit samt dem Geiz.
20 But when you learned [about] Christ, you did not learn [to behave] like that.
Ihr aber habt Christum nicht also gelernet,
21 I am sure that you heard the message about [Christ], and because you are people who have a close relationship with him, you were taught {[others] taught you} the true [way to live] that Jesus [showed us].
so ihr anders von ihm gehöret habt und in ihm gelehret seid, wie in Jesu ein rechtschaffen Wesen ist.
22 [You were taught] {[They taught you]} that you must put aside [MET] your evil nature; [that is, that you must not behave like you formerly did]. Your evil desires deceived you, making you want to do evil things and causing you to think that [doing that was good for you]; and your thinking like that was destroying you [spiritually].
So leget nun von euch ab nach dem vorigen Wandel den alten Menschen, der durch Lüste in Irrtum sich verderbet.
23 Others taught you that instead, you must let [God’s Spirit] change the way you think,
Erneuert euch aber im Geist eures Gemüts
24 and that you must start being [MET] the new persons that God made you to become. That is, your [behavior] must be righteous and truly/genuinely devout.
und ziehet den neuen Menschen an, der nach Gott geschaffen ist in rechtschaffener Gerechtigkeit und Heiligkeit.
25 Therefore, quit lying to one another. Instead, because we all belong to just one group [of believers], speak truthfully to each other.
Darum leget die Lüge ab und redet die Wahrheit, ein jeglicher mit seinem Nächsten, sintemal wir untereinander Glieder sind.
26 If you get angry, do not sin [as a result of] getting angry. Before the end of the day [MTY], stop being angry;
Zürnet, und sündiget nicht; lasset die Sonne nicht über eurem Zorn untergehen.
27 [by doing that], you will not allow the devil to make you do evil.
Gebet auch nicht Raum dem Lästerer!
28 Those who have been stealing must not steal any longer. Instead, they should work hard to earn (their living/what they need) ([by] their own efforts/[by] what they do themselves) [MTY], in order that they may have [something] to give to those who are needy.
Wer gestohlen hat, der stehle nicht mehr, sondern arbeite und schaffe mit den Händen etwas Gutes, auf daß er habe, zu geben dem Dürftigen.
29 Do not use [MTY] foul language. Instead, say only things that are useful for helping people when they need help, things that will help [spiritually] the people that you talk to.
Lasset kein faul Geschwätz aus eurem Munde gehen, sondern was nützlich zur Besserung ist, da es not tut, daß es holdselig sei zu hören.
30 [God has given you his] Spirit (to confirm/to assure you) that some day [God will claim all] you people [whom Christ has] redeemed [MET], [just like people confirm that something belongs to them by] putting their seal on it. So do not cause God’s Holy Spirit to be sad ([by the way you talk/by the things that you say]).
Und betrübet nicht den Heiligen Geist Gottes, damit ihr versiegelt seid auf den Tag der Erlösung.
31 Do not be resentful at all towards others. Do not become angry in any way. Never shout abusively at others. Never (slander/say bad things about) others. Never act maliciously/be mean in any way.
Alle Bitterkeit und Grimm und Zorn und Geschrei und Lästerung sei ferne von euch samt aller Bosheit.
32 Be kind to one another. Act mercifully toward each other. Forgive each other, just like God forgave you because of [what] Christ [has done].
Seid aber untereinander freundlich, herzlich und vergebet einer dem andern, gleichwie Gott euch vergeben hat in Christo.
