8 This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,

he took many captives

and gave gifts to his people.”

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions?

8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

8 That is why the Scriptures say,

“When he ascended to the heights,

he led a crowd of captives

and gave gifts to his people.”

9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world.

8 Therefore He says:

“When He ascended on high,

He led captivity captive,

And gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth?

8 That is why it says in the Scriptures,

“When he went up to the heights,

he led a parade of captives,

and he gave gifts to people.”

9 When it says, “He went up,” what does it mean? It means that he first came down to the earth.

8 Wherefore he saith,

When he ascended on high, he led captivity captive,

And gave gifts unto men.

9 (Now this, He ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

8 Wherefore he says, Having ascended up on high, he has led captivity captive, and has given gifts to men. 9 But that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

8 That’s why the Scriptures say: 

“When he went to the highest place, 

he took captive those who had captured us 

and gave gifts to people.” 

9 Now what does it mean that he went up except that he also had gone down to the lowest parts of the earth?

8 For it says:

When He ascended on high,

He took prisoners into captivity;

He gave gifts to people.

9 But what does “He ascended” mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth?

8 Therefore it is said,

“When he ascended on high he made captivity itself a captive;

he gave gifts to his people.”

9 (When it says, “He ascended,” what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower parts of the earth?

8 Therefore it says,

“Ascending on high he led captivity captive;

he gave gifts to men.”

9 Now “he ascended,” what is it, except that he also descended to the lower regions of the earth?

8 That is why Scripture says,

“When he went up to his place on high,

he led a line of prisoners.

He gave gifts to people.”

9 What does “he went up” mean? It can only mean that he also came down to the lower, earthly places.

8 Therefore it says,

“When He ascended on high,

He led captive a host of captives,

And He gave gifts to men.”

9 (Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth?