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.

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

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(BS) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(BT) 26} to make her holy,^(BU) cleansing^[c] her by the washing^(BV) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(BW) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(BX) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(BY) 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.^{(BZ) 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.”^{[d](CA) 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^(CB) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(CC) 2} “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[e](CD)

⁴ Fathers,^[f] do not exasperate your children;^(CE) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(CF)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(CG) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(CH) just as you would obey Christ.^{(CI) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(CJ) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(CK) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(CL) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ 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^(CM) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(CN) with him.