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Berean Standard Bible

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Ephesians 6:12

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Study note

This verse explains why believers need the armor of God described in Ephesians 6:10-20. In the first century many people in Ephesus feared spiritual powers, and the city was known for magic practices, as Acts 19 describes.

Open Study notes above for the full note.

Compare translations

Berean Standard Bible (BSB)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

World English Bible (WEB)

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

King James Version (KJV)

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

American Standard Version (ASV)

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual [hosts] of wickedness in the heavenly [places].

Bible in Basic English (BBE)

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.

Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

because we have not the wrestling with blood and flesh, but with the principalities, with the authorities, with the world-rulers of the darkness of this age, with the spiritual things of the evil in the heavenly places;

Reina-Valera 1909 (RVR 1909)

Porque no tenemos lucha contra sangre y carne; sino contra principados, contra potestades, contra señores del mundo, gobernadores de estas tinieblas, contra malicias espirituales en los aires.

Sagradas Escrituras 1569 (SE 1569)

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Nueva Biblia Viva (NBV)

porque nuestra lucha no es contra seres humanos, sino contra los poderes, las autoridades y los gobernantes de este mundo en tinieblas; o sea, que luchamos contra los espíritus malignos que actúan en el cielo.

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