Ephesians 5:1-10

Contemporary English Version

5 Do as God does. After all, you are his dear children. ^2 (A) Let love be your guide. Christ loved us^[a] and offered his life for us as a sacrifice that pleases God.

³ You are God's people, so don't let it be said that any of you are immoral or indecent or greedy. ⁴ Don't use dirty or foolish or filthy words. Instead, say how thankful you are. ⁵ Being greedy, indecent, or immoral is just another way of worshiping idols. You can be sure people who behave in this way will never be part of the kingdom that belongs to Christ and to God.

Living as People of Light

⁶ Don't let anyone trick you with foolish talk. God punishes everyone who disobeys him and says^[b] foolish things. ⁷ So don't have anything to do with anyone like that.

⁸ You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light ⁹ and make your light shine. Be good and honest and truthful, ¹⁰ as you try to please the Lord.