²⁹ I know that after I leave, savage wolves^(A) will come in among you and will not spare the flock.^{(B) 30} Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples^(C) after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years^(D) I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.^(E)

³² “Now I commit you to God^(F) and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance^(G) among all those who are sanctified.^(H)

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner^(A) for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy^(B) of the calling^(C) you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another^(D) in love.^{(E) 3} Make every effort to keep the unity^(F) of the Spirit through the bond of peace.^(G)

⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(A) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(B) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(C)—has any inheritance^(D) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](E) 6} Let no one deceive you^(F) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(G) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(H) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(I) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(J) 9} (for the fruit^(K) of the light consists in all goodness,^(L) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(M) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(N) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(O) 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^(S)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(T) because the days are evil.^{(U) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^{(V) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(W) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(X) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(Y) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(Z) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(AA)

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

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands^(AC) as you do to the Lord.^{(AD) 23} For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(AE) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(AF) in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(AG) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^(AH)