Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

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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,

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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

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.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God

Living in the Light

You are God’s children whom he loves. So try to be like God. Live a life of love. Love other people just as Christ loved us. Christ gave himself for us—he was a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.

But there must be no sexual immorality among you. There must not be any kind of evil or greed. Those things are not right for God’s holy people. Also, there must be no evil talk among you. You must not speak foolishly or tell evil jokes. These things are not right for you. But you should be giving thanks to God. You can be sure of this: No one will have a place in the kingdom of Christ and of God who engages in sexual sin, or does evil things, or is greedy. Anyone who is greedy is serving a false god.

Do not let anyone fool you by telling you things that are not true. These things will bring God’s anger on those who do not obey him. So have no part with them. In the past you were full of darkness, but now you are full of light in the Lord. So live like children who belong to the light. Light brings every kind of goodness, right living, and truth. 10 Try to learn what pleases the Lord. 11 Do not do the things that people in darkness do. That brings nothing good. But do good things to show that the things done in darkness are wrong. 12 It is shameful even to talk about what those people do in secret. 13 But the light makes all things easy to see. 14 And everything that is made easy to see can become light. This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper!
    Rise from death,
and Christ will shine on you.”

15 So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise. Live wisely. 16 I mean that you should use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. 17 So do not be foolish with your lives. But learn what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Do not be drunk with wine. That will ruin you spiritually. But be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. 20 Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

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(A)Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!

Let your [a]gentleness be known to all men. (B)The Lord is at hand.

(C)Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with (D)thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and (E)the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Meditate on These Things

Finally, brethren, whatever things are (F)true, whatever things are (G)noble, whatever things are (H)just, (I)whatever things are pure, whatever things are (J)lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and (K)the God of peace will be with you.

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Footnotes

  1. Philippians 4:5 graciousness or forbearance

Final Exhortations

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!(A) Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.(B) Do not be anxious about anything,(C) but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.(D) And the peace of God,(E) which transcends all understanding,(F) will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.(G) And the God of peace(H) will be with you.

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Be full of joy in the Lord always. I will say again, be full of joy.

Let all men see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. Do not worry about anything. But pray and ask God for everything you need. And when you pray, always give thanks. And God’s peace will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. The peace that God gives is so great that we cannot understand it.

Brothers, continue to think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. And do what you learned and received from me. Do what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.

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146 Praise ye the Lord. Praise the Lord, O my soul.

While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being.

Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.

His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.

Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the Lord his God:

Which made heaven, and earth, the sea, and all that therein is: which keepeth truth for ever:

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The Lord looseth the prisoners:

The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind: the Lord raiseth them that are bowed down: the Lord loveth the righteous:

The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

10 The Lord shall reign for ever, even thy God, O Zion, unto all generations. Praise ye the Lord.

The Happiness of Those Whose Help Is the Lord

146 Praise[a] the Lord!

(A)Praise the Lord, O my soul!
(B)While I live I will praise the Lord;
I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

(C)Do not put your trust in princes,
Nor in [b]a son of man, in whom there is no [c]help.
(D)His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day (E)his plans perish.

(F)Happy is he who has the God of Jacob for his help,
Whose hope is in the Lord his God,
(G)Who made heaven and earth,
The sea, and all that is in them;
Who keeps truth forever,
(H)Who executes justice for the oppressed,
(I)Who gives food to the hungry.
(J)The Lord gives freedom to the prisoners.

(K)The Lord opens the eyes of the blind;
(L)The Lord raises those who are bowed down;
The Lord loves the righteous.
(M)The Lord watches over the strangers;
He relieves the fatherless and widow;
(N)But the way of the wicked He [d]turns upside down.

10 (O)The Lord shall reign forever—
Your God, O Zion, to all generations.

Praise the Lord!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 146:1 Heb. Hallelujah
  2. Psalm 146:3 A human being
  3. Psalm 146:3 salvation
  4. Psalm 146:9 Lit. makes crooked

Psalm 146

Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise the Lord,(A) my soul.

I will praise the Lord all my life;(B)
    I will sing praise(C) to my God as long as I live.(D)
Do not put your trust in princes,(E)
    in human beings,(F) who cannot save.
When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;(G)
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.(H)
Blessed are those(I) whose help(J) is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

He is the Maker of heaven(K) and earth,
    the sea, and everything in them—
    he remains faithful(L) forever.
He upholds(M) the cause of the oppressed(N)
    and gives food to the hungry.(O)
The Lord sets prisoners free,(P)
    the Lord gives sight(Q) to the blind,(R)
the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,(S)
    the Lord loves the righteous.(T)
The Lord watches over the foreigner(U)
    and sustains the fatherless(V) and the widow,(W)
    but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.

10 The Lord reigns(X) forever,
    your God, O Zion, for all generations.

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 146:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 10

Praise God Who Helps the Weak

146 Praise the Lord!
    My whole being, praise the Lord.
I will praise the Lord all my life.
    I will sing praises to my God as long as I live.

Do not put your trust in princes
    or other people, who cannot save you.
When people die, they are buried.
    Then all of their plans come to an end.
Happy are those who are helped by the God of Jacob.
    Their hope is in the Lord their God.
He made heaven and earth,
    the sea and everything in it.
    He remains loyal forever.
The Lord does what is fair for those who have been wronged.
    He gives food to the hungry.
The Lord sets the prisoners free.
    The Lord gives sight to the blind.
The Lord lifts up people who are in trouble.
    The Lord loves those who do right.
The Lord protects the foreigners.
    He defends the orphans and widows.
    But he overthrows the wicked.

10 The Lord will be King forever.
    Jerusalem, your God is everlasting.

Praise the Lord!

150 Praise ye the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.

Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.

Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.

Let All Things Praise the Lord

150 Praise(A)[a] the Lord!

Praise God in His sanctuary;
Praise Him in His mighty [b]firmament!

Praise Him for His mighty acts;
Praise Him according to His excellent (B)greatness!

Praise Him with the sound of the [c]trumpet;
Praise Him with the lute and harp!
Praise Him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes!
Praise Him with loud cymbals;
Praise Him with clashing cymbals!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord.

[d]Praise the Lord!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 150:1 Heb. Hallelujah
  2. Psalm 150:1 expanse of heaven
  3. Psalm 150:3 cornet
  4. Psalm 150:6 Heb. Hallelujah

Psalm 150

Praise the Lord.[a](A)

Praise God in his sanctuary;(B)
    praise him in his mighty heavens.(C)
Praise him for his acts of power;(D)
    praise him for his surpassing greatness.(E)
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,(F)
    praise him with the harp and lyre,(G)
praise him with timbrel and dancing,(H)
    praise him with the strings(I) and pipe,(J)
praise him with the clash of cymbals,(K)
    praise him with resounding cymbals.

Let everything(L) that has breath praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 150:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verse 6

Praise the Lord with Music

150 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his Temple.
    Praise him in his mighty heaven.
Praise him for his strength.
    Praise him for his greatness.
Praise him with trumpet blasts.
    Praise him with harps and lyres.
Praise him with tambourines and dancing.
    Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.
Praise him with loud cymbals.
    Praise him with crashing cymbals.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord!

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

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15 and that from childhood you have known (A)the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 (B)All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, (C)and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, 17 (D)that the man of God may be complete, (E)thoroughly equipped for every good work.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 3:16 training, discipline

15 and how from infancy(A) you have known the Holy Scriptures,(B) which are able to make you wise(C) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is God-breathed(D) and is useful for teaching,(E) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,(F) 17 so that the servant of God[a](G) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 3:17 Or that you, a man of God,

15 You have known the Holy Scriptures since you were a child. The Scriptures are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching and for showing people what is wrong in their lives. It is useful for correcting faults and teaching how to live right. 17 Using the Scriptures, the person who serves God will be ready and will have everything he needs to do every good work.

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