Ephesians 4:28 “He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing go…”

Ephesians 4:28

He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with his own hands, that he may have something to share with the one in need.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

World English Bible

Let him who stole steal no more; but rather let him labor, producing with his hands something that is good, that he may have something to give to him who has need.

American Standard Version

Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need.

Geneva Bible 1599

Let him that stole, steale no more: but let him rather labour, and worke with his handes the thing which is good, that hee may haue to giue vnto him that needeth.

Darby Translation

Let the stealer steal no more, but rather let him toil, working what is honest with [his] hands, that he may have to distribute to him that has need.

Young's Literal Translation

whoso is stealing let him no more steal, but rather let him labour, working the thing that is good with the hands, that he may have to impart to him having need.

Bible in Basic English

Let him who was a thief be so no longer, but let him do good work with his hands, so that he may have something to give to him who is in need.

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Cross references

“him that”

Exodus 20:15 Zechariah 5:3 Hosea 4:2 Jeremiah 7:9 John 12:6 Exodus 20:17

Exodus 20:15 · BSB

You shall not steal.

Zechariah 5:3 · BSB

Then he told me, “This is the curse that is going out over the face of all the land, for according to one side of the scroll, every thief will be removed; and according to the other side, every perjurer will be removed.

Hosea 4:2 · BSB

Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.

Jeremiah 7:9 · BSB

Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known,

John 12:6 · BSB

Judas did not say this because he cared about the poor, but because he was a thief. As keeper of the money bag, he used to take from what was put into it.

Exodus 20:17 · BSB

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, or his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.”

“steal no more”

Luke 3:10–14 Proverbs 28:13 Luke 19:8 Job 34:32 Luke 3:8

Luke 3:10–14 · BSB

The crowds asked him, “What then should we do?”

Proverbs 28:13 · BSB

He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy.

Luke 19:8 · BSB

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will repay it fourfold.”

Job 34:32 · BSB

Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’

Luke 3:8 · BSB

Produce fruit, then, in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham.

“labour”

2 Thessalonians 3:6–8 Proverbs 13:11 Proverbs 14:23 Acts 20:34 Acts 20:35 1 Thessalonians 4:11

2 Thessalonians 3:6–8 · BSB

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us.

Proverbs 13:11 · BSB

Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.

Proverbs 14:23 · BSB

There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Acts 20:34 · BSB

You yourselves know that these hands of mine have ministered to my own needs and those of my companions.

Acts 20:35 · BSB

In everything, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words of the Lord Jesus Himself: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

1 Thessalonians 4:11 · BSB

and to aspire to live quietly, to attend to your own matters, and to work with your own hands, as we instructed you.

“that he”

Luke 21:1–4 John 13:29 2 Corinthians 8:2 2 Corinthians 8:12 Luke 3:11

Luke 21:1–4 · BSB

Then Jesus looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury,

John 13:29 · BSB

Since Judas kept the money bag, some thought that Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the feast, or to give something to the poor.

2 Corinthians 8:2 · BSB

In the terrible ordeal they suffered, their abundant joy and deep poverty overflowed into rich generosity.

2 Corinthians 8:12 · BSB

For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have.

Luke 3:11 · BSB

John replied, “Whoever has two tunics should share with him who has none, and whoever has food should do the same.”

“give”

1 Timothy 6:18 Romans 12:13 2 Corinthians 9:12–15

1 Timothy 6:18 · BSB

Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, and to be generous and ready to share,

Romans 12:13 · BSB

Share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality.

2 Corinthians 9:12–15 · BSB

For this ministry of service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanksgiving to God.

Also

Galatians 6:10

Galatians 6:10 · BSB

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

27and do not give the devil a foothold.

29Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Read Ephesians 4