In the Lord's name, I tell you this. I warn you: Do not continue living like those who do not believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing. They do not understand. They know nothing, because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives. They have lost their feeling of shame. And they use their lives for doing evil. More and more they want to do all kinds of evil things. But the things you learned in Christ were not like this. I know that you heard about Him, and you are in Him; so you were taught the truth. Yes, the truth is in Jesus. You were taught to leave your old self - to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse and worse because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do. But you were taught to be made new in your hearts. You were taught to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God - made to be truly good and holy.
   No more lying, then! Everyone must tell the truth to his brother, because we are all members together in the body of Christ. If you become angry, do not let your anger lead you into sin; and do not stay angry all day. Do not give the devil a way to defeat you. The man who used to rob must stop robbing and start working, to earn an honest living for himself, and to be able to help the poor. Do not use harmful words in talking. Use only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free. Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.
   Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Try to learn what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the worthless things that people do, that belong to the darkness. Instead, bring them out to the light.

Taken from Ephesians 4, The Everyday Bible and Today's English Version.
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