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¶ Be ye therefore imitators of God, as dear children

and walk in charity even as the Christ also has loved us and has given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

¶ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becomes saints,

neither dishonest words nor foolishness nor low jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks.

For this ye know, that no fornicator nor unclean person nor covetous man, who is also an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no one deceive you with vain words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Be not ye, therefore, partakers with them.

For in another time ye were darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk as children of light;

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

10 approving what is well pleasing unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which they do in secret.

13 But all these things when they are reproved by the light are made manifest, for the light is that which manifests everything.

14 Therefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding of what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, in which there is excess, but be filled with the Spirit,

19 speaking among yourselves with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and praising the Lord in your hearts,

20 giving thanks always for all things unto the God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 ¶ submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husband, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife even as the Christ is head of the congregation, {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} and it is he who gives saving health to the body.

24 Therefore, as the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} is subject unto the Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives even as the Christ also loved the congregation {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} and gave himself for her,

26 that he might sanctify and cleanse her in the washing of water by the word,

27 that he might present her glorious for himself, a congregation, {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones} not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought husbands to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it even as the Lord with his congregation. {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the congregation. {Gr. ekklesia – called out ones}

33 Nevertheless, let each one of you do likewise, let each one so love his wife even as himself, and let the wife see that she reverences her husband.

Follow God’s example,(A) therefore, as dearly loved children(B) and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us(C) and gave himself up for us(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.(E)

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(I) For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater(J)—has any inheritance(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a](L) Let no one deceive you(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath(N) comes on those who are disobedient.(O) Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(Q) (for the fruit(R) of the light consists in all goodness,(S) righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.(T) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,(U) but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,(W)
    rise from the dead,(X)
    and Christ will shine on you.”(Y)

15 Be very careful, then, how you live(Z)—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity,(AA) because the days are evil.(AB) 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.(AC) 18 Do not get drunk on wine,(AD) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,(AE) 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.(AF) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks(AG) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households(AH)

21 Submit to one another(AI) out of reverence for Christ.

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands(AJ) as you do to the Lord.(AK) 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,(AL) his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands(AM) in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives,(AN) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her(AO) 26 to make her holy,(AP) cleansing[b] her by the washing(AQ) with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself(AR) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.(AS) 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives(AT) as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.(AU) 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[c](AV) 32 This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. 33 However, each one of you also must love his wife(AW) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
  2. Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
  3. Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24