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Ephesians 5
Common English Bible

5 Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. 2 Live your life with love, following the example of Christ, who loved us and gave himself for us. He was a sacrificial offering that smelled sweet to God.

3 Sexual immorality, and any kind of impurity or greed, shouldn’t even be mentioned among you, which is right for holy persons. 4 Obscene language, silly talk, or vulgar jokes aren’t acceptable for believers. Instead, there should be thanksgiving. 5 Because you know for sure that persons who are sexually immoral, impure, or greedy—which happens when things become gods—those persons won’t inherit the kingdom of Christ and God.

Be children of light

6 Nobody should deceive you with stupid ideas. God’s anger comes down on those who are disobedient because of this kind of thing. 7 So you shouldn’t have anything to do with them. 8 You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord, so live your life as children of light. 9 Light produces fruit that consists of every sort of goodness, justice, and truth. 10 Therefore, test everything to see what’s pleasing to the Lord, 11 and don’t participate in the unfruitful actions of darkness. Instead, you should reveal the truth about them. 12 It’s embarrassing to even talk about what certain persons do in secret. 13 But everything exposed to the light is revealed by the light. 14 Everything that is revealed by the light is light. Therefore, it says, Wake up, sleeper![a] Get up from the dead,[b] and Christ will shine on you.[c]

Be filled with the Spirit

15 So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly. 16 Take advantage of every opportunity because these are evil times. 17 Because of this, don’t be ignorant, but understand the Lord’s will. 18 Don’t get drunk on wine, which produces depravity. Instead, be filled with the Spirit in the following ways: 19 speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; sing and make music to the Lord in your hearts; 20 always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 and submit to each other out of respect for Christ. 22 For example, wives should submit to their husbands as if to the Lord. 23 A husband is the head of his wife like Christ is head of the church, that is, the savior of the body. 24 So wives submit to their husbands in everything like the church submits to Christ. 25 As for husbands, love your wives just like Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. 26 He did this to make her holy by washing her in a bath of water with the word. 27 He did this to present himself with a splendid church, one without any sort of stain or wrinkle on her clothes, but rather one that is holy and blameless. 28 That’s how husbands ought to love their wives—in the same way as they do their own bodies. Anyone who loves his wife loves himself. 29 No one ever hates his own body, but feeds it and takes care of it just like Christ does for the church 30 because we are parts of his body. 31 This is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two of them will be one body.[d] 32 Marriage is a significant allegory,[e] and I’m applying it to Christ and the church. 33 In any case, as for you individually, each one of you should love his wife as himself, and wives should respect[f] their husbands.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:14 Isa 26:19; 51:17; 52:1; 60:1
  2. Ephesians 5:14 Isa 26:19
  3. Ephesians 5:14 Isa 60:1
  4. Ephesians 5:31 Gen 2:24
  5. Ephesians 5:32 Or mystery
  6. Ephesians 5:33 Or fear
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以弗所书 5
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified)

行事与圣徒的身份相称

5 因此，你们既然是上帝疼爱的儿女，就要效法上帝。 2 要以爱心待人，像基督爱我们一样，祂为我们牺牲自己作为献给上帝的馨香供物和祭物。

3 一切淫乱、污秽或贪婪的事在你们当中连提都不要提，才合乎圣徒的身份。 4 污言秽语、愚昧粗俗的谈笑都不合宜，总要说感恩的话才好。 5 因为你们清楚知道，淫乱的人、污秽的人，还有贪婪的人，就是拜偶像的人，在基督和上帝的国里没有立足之地。 6 不要被虚空的道理欺骗，因为上帝的烈怒必临到上述那些悖逆的人。 7 所以，你们不要与他们同流合污。

8 你们从前活在黑暗中，现在既然活在主的光明中，行事为人就该像光明的儿女。 9 光明总是结出良善、公义和真理的果子。 10 你们要察验什么是主所喜悦的事， 11 不可参与那些黑暗无益的事，反要揭发斥责， 12 因为那些人暗地里做的事就是提起来都觉得可耻。 13 然而，一切的事被光一照，都会真相大白， 14 因为光能使一切显明出来。因此有人说：

“沉睡的人啊，醒来吧！
从死人中起来吧，
基督要光照你了！”

15 因此，你们要注意自己的生活，不要像愚昧人，要像有智慧的人。 16 要爱惜光阴，因为现今是个邪恶的世代。 17 所以，不要做糊涂人，要明白主的旨意。 18 不要醉酒，醉酒会使人放荡，要被圣灵充满。 19 要用诗篇、圣乐、灵歌互相激励，从心底唱出赞美主的旋律。 20 凡事总要奉我们主耶稣基督的名感谢父上帝。

夫妇之道

21 你们要存敬畏基督的心彼此顺服。

22 做妻子的要顺服自己的丈夫，如同顺服主基督。 23 因为丈夫是妻子的头，正如基督是祂的身体——教会的头，又是教会的救主。 24 教会怎样顺服基督，妻子也要照样凡事顺服丈夫。

25 做丈夫的要爱妻子，正如基督爱教会，为教会舍己， 26 好借着自己的道用水洗净教会，使她圣洁， 27 以便把圣洁、完美、没有污点、皱纹等瑕疵的荣耀教会呈献给祂自己。 28 同样，做丈夫的也要爱妻子如同爱自己的身体，爱妻子就是爱自己。 29 没有人会厌恶自己的身体，人总是珍惜保养身体，正如基督对待教会一样， 30 因为我们是祂身上的肢体。 31 “因此，人要离开父母，与妻子结合，二人成为一体。” 32 这是一个极大的奥秘，然而我是指着基督和教会的关系说的。 33 总之，你们做丈夫的都要爱妻子如同爱自己，做妻子的也要敬重丈夫。

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Ephesians 5
American Standard Version

5 Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for [a]us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; 4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them; 8 for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10 proving what is well-pleasing unto the Lord; 11 and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even [b]reprove them; 12 for the things which are done by them in secret it is a shame even to speak of. 13 But all things when they are [c]reproved are made manifest by the light: for everything that is made manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, [d]Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.

15 Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise; 16 [e]redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunken with wine, wherein is riot, but be filled [f]with the Spirit; 19 speaking [g]one to another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20 giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to [h]God, even the Father; 21 subjecting yourselves one to another in the fear of Christ.

22 Wives, be in subjection unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, [i]so let the wives also be to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it; 26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the [j]washing of water with the word, 27 that he might present the church to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28 Even so ought husbands also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth himself: 29 for no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as Christ also the church; 30 because we are members of his body. 31 [k]For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great: but I speak in regard of Christ and of the church. 33 Nevertheless do ye also severally love each one his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she fear her husband.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:2 Some ancient authorities read you.
  2. Ephesians 5:11 Or, convict
  3. Ephesians 5:13 Or, convicted
  4. Ephesians 5:14 (?). Compare 1 Tim. 3:16.
  5. Ephesians 5:16 Greek buying up the opportunity.
  6. Ephesians 5:18 Or, in spirit
  7. Ephesians 5:19 Or, to yourselves
  8. Ephesians 5:20 Greek the God and Father.
  9. Ephesians 5:24 Or, so are the wives also
  10. Ephesians 5:26 Greek laver.
  11. Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24.
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Ephesians 5
New International Version

5 1 Follow God’s example,(A) therefore, as dearly loved children(B) 2 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)

3 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. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.(I) 5 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) 6 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) 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.

8 For you were once(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(Q) 9 (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.

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
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Ephesians 4
Ephesians 6
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Common English Bible (CEB)

Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible

Chinese Contemporary Bible (Simplified) (CCB)

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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

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