¹³ And you also were included in Christ^(A) when you heard the message of truth,^(B) the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal,^(C) the promised Holy Spirit,^{(D) 14} who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance^(E) until the redemption^(F) of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.^(G)

¹⁷ I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father,^(A) may give you the Spirit^[a] of wisdom^(B) and revelation, so that you may know him better. ¹⁸ I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened^(C) in order that you may know the hope to which he has called^(D) you, the riches^(E) of his glorious inheritance^(F) in his holy people,^{(G) 19} and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power^(H) is the same as the mighty strength^{(I) 20} he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead^(J) and seated him at his right hand^(K) in the heavenly realms,^{(L) 21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion,^(M) and every name^(N) that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.^{(O) 22} And God placed all things under his feet^(P) and appointed him to be head^(Q) over everything for the church, ²³ which is his body,^(R) the fullness of him^(S) who fills everything in every way.^(T)

⁸ For it is by grace^(A) you have been saved,^(B) through faith^(C)—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works,^(D) so that no one can boast.^{(E) 10} For we are God’s handiwork,^(F) created^(G) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(H) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Instructions for Christian Living

¹⁷ So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer^(A) live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.^{(B) 18} They are darkened in their understanding^(C) and separated from the life of God^(D) because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.^{(E) 19} Having lost all sensitivity,^(F) they have given themselves over^(G) to sensuality^(H) so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

²⁰ That, however, is not the way of life you learned ²¹ when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. ²² You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off^(I) your old self,^(J) which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;^{(K) 23} to be made new in the attitude of your minds;^{(L) 24} and to put on^(M) the new self,^(N) created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.^(O)

²⁵ Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully^(P) to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.^{(Q) 26} “In your anger do not sin”^[a]:^(R) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ and do not give the devil a foothold.^{(S) 28} Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work,^(T) doing something useful with their own hands,^(U) that they may have something to share with those in need.^(V)

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,^(W) but only what is helpful for building others up^(X) according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. ³⁰ And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God,^(Y) with whom you were sealed^(Z) for the day of redemption.^{(AA) 31} Get rid of^(AB) all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.^{(AC) 32} Be kind and compassionate to one another,^(AD) forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.^(AE) 5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(AF) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(AG) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(AH) and gave himself up for us^(AI) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(AJ)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(AK) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(AL) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(AM) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(AN) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(AO)—has any inheritance^(AP) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[b](AQ) 6} Let no one deceive you^(AR) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(AS) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(AT) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(AU) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(AV) 9} (for the fruit^(AW) of the light consists in all goodness,^(AX) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(AY) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(AZ) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(BA) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

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

Instructions for Christian Households^(BM)

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

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(A) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(B) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(C) 3} For you died,^(D) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life,^(E) appears,^(F) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(G)

⁵ Put to death,^(H) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(I) sexual immorality,^(J) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(K) which is idolatry.^{(L) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(M) is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(N) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(O) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(P) and filthy language from your lips.^{(Q) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(R) since you have taken off your old self^(S) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(T) which is being renewed^(U) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(V) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(W) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(X) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(Y) but Christ is all,^(Z) and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(AA) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(AB) gentleness and patience.^{(AC) 13} Bear with each other^(AD) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(AE) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(AF) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(AG)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(AH) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(AI) you were called to peace.^(AJ) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(AK) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(AL) through psalms,^(AM) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(AN) 17} And whatever you do,^(AO) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(AP) to God the Father through him.