You practiced such things when you lived according to the evil ways of this world, and according to the ruler of the [spiritual] powers of the air. [Note: This refers to Satan, whose influence permeates life around us]. He is the [evil] spirit who is now at work in people who are disobedient [to God].

Buying out for yourselves the opportunity, because, the days, are evil;

For this cause, take up the complete armour of God, in order that ye may receive power to withstand in the evil day, and, all things, having accomplished, to stand!

Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God [but seek to please Him], by whom you were sealed and marked [branded as God’s own] for the day of redemption [the final deliverance from the consequences of sin].

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor [perpetual animosity, resentment, strife, fault-finding] and slander be put away from you, along with every kind of malice [all spitefulness, verbal abuse, malevolence].

Above all having taken up the shield of faith, by which ye will be able to quench all the fiery darts of evil.

Even as he made selection of us in him from the first, so that we might be holy and free from all evil before him in love:

Who having no more power of feeling, have given themselves up to evil passions, to do all unclean things with overmuch desire.

That you are to put away, in relation to your earlier way of life, the old man, which has become evil by love of deceit;

And do not give way to the Evil One.

But evil acts of the flesh and all unclean things, or desire for others' property, let it not even be named among you, as is right for saints;

Take up God's instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One.

For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens.