NETfree - Ephesians - 5

5:1  Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children

5:2  and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

5:3  But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.

5:4  Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting - all of which are out of character - but rather thanksgiving.

5:5  For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

5:6  Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God's wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.

5:7  Therefore do not be partakers with them,

5:8  for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light -

5:9  for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth -

5:10  trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

5:11  Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

5:12  For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention.

5:13  But all things being exposed by the light are made evident.

5:14  For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: "Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!"

5:15  Therefore be very careful how you live - not as unwise but as wise,

5:16  taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

5:17  For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord's will is.

5:18  And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,

5:19  speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord,

5:20  always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5:21  and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

5:22  Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord,

5:23  because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church - he himself being the savior of the body.

5:24  But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

5:25  Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her

5:26  to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word,

5:27  so that he may present the church to himself as glorious - not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

5:28  In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

5:29  For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church,

5:30  for we are members of his body.

5:31  For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

5:32  This mystery is great - but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

5:33  Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.