Walk in Love

Therefore(A) be imitators of God as dear (B)children. And (C)walk in love, (D)as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God (E)for a sweet-smelling aroma.

But fornication and all (F)uncleanness or (G)covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; (H)neither filthiness, nor (I)foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, (J)which are not fitting, but rather (K)giving of thanks. For [a]this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any (L)inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be (M)partakers with them.

Walk in Light

For you were once darkness, but now you are (N)light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for (O)the fruit of the [b]Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 (P)finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have (Q)no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather [c]expose them. 12 (R)For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But (S)all things that are [d]exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says:

(T)“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”

Walk in Wisdom

15 (U)See then that you walk [e]circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 (V)redeeming the time, (W)because the days are evil.

17 (X)Therefore do not be unwise, but (Y)understand (Z)what the will of the Lord is. 18 And (AA)do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another (AB)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making (AC)melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 (AD)giving thanks always for all things to God the Father (AE)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (AF)submitting to one another in the fear of [f]God.

Marriage—Christ and the Church(AG)

22 Wives, (AH)submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For (AI)the husband is head of the wife, as also (AJ)Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands (AK)in everything.

25 (AL)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (AM)gave Himself for her, 26 that He might [g]sanctify and cleanse her (AN)with the washing of water (AO)by the word, 27 (AP)that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, (AQ)not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For (AR)we are members of His body, [h]of His flesh and of His bones. 31 (AS)“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the (AT)two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless (AU)let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she (AV)respects her husband.

Children and Parents(AW)

Children, (AX)obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (AY)“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

And (AZ)you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but (BA)bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Bondservants and Masters

(BB)Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, (BC)with fear and trembling, (BD)in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; (BE)not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, (BF)knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that [i]your own (BG)Master also is in heaven, and (BH)there is no partiality with Him.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 (BI)Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [j]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (BJ)principalities, against powers, against (BK)the rulers of [k]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 (BL)Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (BM)in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14 Stand therefore, (BN)having girded your waist with truth, (BO)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 (BP)and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking (BQ)the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And (BR)take the helmet of salvation, and (BS)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 (BT)praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, (BU)being watchful to this end with all perseverance and (BV)supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, (BW)that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which (BX)I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

A Gracious Greeting

21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, (BY)Tychicus, a beloved brother and (BZ)faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 (CA)whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may (CB)comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:5 NU know this
  2. Ephesians 5:9 NU light
  3. Ephesians 5:11 reprove
  4. Ephesians 5:13 reproved
  5. Ephesians 5:15 carefully
  6. Ephesians 5:21 NU Christ
  7. Ephesians 5:26 set it apart
  8. Ephesians 5:30 NU omits the rest of v. 30.
  9. Ephesians 6:9 NU He who is both their Master and yours is
  10. Ephesians 6:11 schemings
  11. Ephesians 6:12 NU this darkness,

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.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(AX) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[d](AY)

Fathers,[e] do not exasperate your children;(AZ) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.(BA)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(BB) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(BC) just as you would obey Christ.(BD) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(BE) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(BF) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(BG) whether they are slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours(BH) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(BI) with him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(BJ) and in his mighty power.(BK) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(BL) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(BM) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(BN) against the powers(BO) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(BP) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(BQ) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,(BR) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(BS) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(BT) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(BU) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(BV) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(BW) and the sword of the Spirit,(BX) which is the word of God.(BY)

18 And pray in the Spirit(BZ) on all occasions(CA) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(CB) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(CC) for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,(CD) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(CE) make known the mystery(CF) of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador(CG) in chains.(CH) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus,(CI) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,(CJ) and that he may encourage you.(CK)

23 Peace(CL) to the brothers and sisters,[f] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[g]

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
  4. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  5. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
  6. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  7. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.