¶ I therefore which am in bonds for the Lord's sake exhort you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, in all humbleness of mind, and meekness, and long suffering, forbearing one another thorow love, and that ye be diligent to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace, being one body, and one spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling. Let there be but one Lord, one faith, one baptism: one God and father of all, which is above all, thorow all, and in us all.
¶ Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith: He is gone up on high, and hath led captivity captive, and hath given gifts unto men. That he ascended: what meaneth it, but that he also descended first into the lowest parts of the earth? He that descended, is even the same also that ascended up, even above all heavens, to fulfil all things.
¶ And the very same, made some Apostles, some prophets, some Evangelists, some Shepherds, some Teachers: that the saints might have all things necessary to work and minister withall, to the edifying of the body of Christ, till we everyeachone (in the unity of faith, and knowledge of the son of God) grow up unto a perfect man, after the measure of age which is in the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children wavering and carried with every wind of doctrine, by the wiliness of men and craftiness, whereby they lay a wait for us to deceive us.
¶ But let us follow the truth in love, and in all things grow in him which is the head, that is to say Christ, in whom all the body is coupled and knit together, in every joint, wherewith one ministereth to another (according to the operation as every part hath his measure) and increaseth the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.
¶ This I say herefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other gentiles walk, in vanities of their mind, blinded in their understanding, being strangers from the life which is in God, thorow the ignorancy that is in them, because of the blindness of their hearts: which being past repentance have given themselves unto wantonness, to work all manner of uncleanness even with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ, If so be ye have heard of him, and are taught in him, even as the truth is in Iesu: so then as concerning the conversation in time past, lay from you that old man, which is corrupt thorow the deceivable lusts, and be ye renewed in the spirit of your minds, and put on that new man, which after a godly wise, is shapen in righteousness, and true holiness. Wherefore put away lying, and speak every man truth unto his neighbor, for as much as we are members one of another. Be angry, but sin not: let not the son go down upon your wrath, give no place unto the backbiter, let him that stole steal no more, but let him rather labour with his hands some good thing, that he may have to give unto him that needeth.
¶ Let no filthy communication proceed out of your mouths: but that which is good to edify withall, when need is: that it may have favour with the hearers. And grieve not the holy spirit of God, by whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, fierceness and wrath, roaring and cursed speaking, be put away from you, with all maliciousness. Be ye courteous one to another, be merciful forgiving one another, even as God for Christe's sake forgave you.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526