Walk in Love

(A)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And (B)walk in love, (C)as Christ loved us and (D)gave himself up for us, a (E)fragrant (F)offering and sacrifice to God.

But (G)sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness (H)must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be (I)no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, (J)which are out of place, but instead (K)let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that (L)everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ((M)that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (N)Let no one (O)deceive you with empty words, for because of these things (P)the wrath of God comes upon (Q)the sons of disobedience. Therefore (R)do not become partners with them; for (S)at one time you were (T)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. (U)Walk as children of light (for (V)the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and (W)try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 (X)Take no part in the (Y)unfruitful (Z)works of darkness, but instead (AA)expose them. 12 For (AB)it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13 But when (AC)anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

(AD)“Awake, O sleeper,
    and (AE)arise from the dead,
and (AF)Christ will shine on you.”

15 (AG)Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16 (AH)making the best use of the time, because (AI)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what (AJ)the will of the Lord is. 18 And (AK)do not get drunk with wine, for that is (AL)debauchery, but (AM)be filled with the Spirit, 19 addressing one another in (AN)psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20 (AO)giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father (AP)in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 (AQ)submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Wives and Husbands

22 (AR)Wives, (AS)submit to your own husbands, (AT)as to the Lord. 23 For (AU)the husband is the head of the wife even as (AV)Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is (AW)himself its Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit (AX)in everything to their husbands.

25 (AY)Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and (AZ)gave himself up for her, 26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by (BA)the washing of water (BB)with the word, 27 so (BC)that he might present the church to himself in splendor, (BD)without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[a] 28 In the same way (BE)husbands should love their 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 Christ does the church, 30 because (BF)we are members of his body. 31 (BG)“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and (BH)the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church. 33 However, (BI)let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she (BJ)respects her husband.

Children and Parents

(BK)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. (BL)“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, (BM)but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Bondservants and Masters

(BN)Bondservants,[b] obey your earthly masters[c] with fear and trembling, (BO)with a sincere heart, (BP)as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as (BQ)people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, (BR)knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, (BS)whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, (BT)and stop your threatening, knowing that (BU)he who is both their Master[d] and yours is in heaven, and that (BV)there is no partiality with him.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, (BW)be strong in the Lord and in (BX)the strength of his might. 11 (BY)Put on (BZ)the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against (CA)the schemes of the devil. 12 For (CB)we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (CC)the rulers, against the authorities, against (CD)the cosmic powers over (CE)this present darkness, against (CF)the spiritual forces of evil (CG)in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore (CH)take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in (CI)the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, (CJ)having fastened on the belt of truth, and (CK)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, (CL)as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up (CM)the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all (CN)the flaming darts of (CO)the evil one; 17 and take (CP)the helmet of salvation, and (CQ)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying (CR)at all times (CS)in the Spirit, (CT)with all prayer and supplication. To that end, (CU)keep alert with all perseverance, making (CV)supplication for all the saints, 19 and (CW)also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth (CX)boldly to proclaim (CY)the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I (CZ)am an ambassador (DA)in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

21 (DB)So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, (DC)Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may (DD)encourage your hearts.

23 (DE)Peace be to the brothers,[e] and (DF)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who (DG)love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:27 Or holy and blameless
  2. Ephesians 6:5 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 6; likewise for bondservant in verse 8
  3. Ephesians 6:5 Or your masters according to the flesh
  4. Ephesians 6:9 Greek Lord
  5. Ephesians 6:23 Or brothers and sisters

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Aleph

119 [a] Blessed are those whose (A)way is blameless,
    who (B)walk in the law of the Lord!
Blessed are those who (C)keep his (D)testimonies,
    who (E)seek him with their whole heart,
who also (F)do no wrong,
    but walk in his ways!
You have commanded your (G)precepts
    to be kept diligently.
Oh that my ways may (H)be steadfast
    in keeping your statutes!
(I)Then I shall not be put to shame,
    having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
I will praise you with an upright heart,
    when I learn (J)your righteous rules.[b]
I will keep your statutes;
    (K)do not utterly forsake me!

Beth

How can (L)a young man keep his way pure?
    By guarding it according to your word.
10 (M)With my whole heart I seek you;
    let me not (N)wander from your commandments!
11 I have (O)stored up your word in my heart,
    that I might not sin against you.
12 Blessed are you, O Lord;
    (P)teach me your statutes!
13 With my lips I (Q)declare
    all the rules[c] of your mouth.
14 In the way of your testimonies I (R)delight
    as much as in all (S)riches.
15 I will (T)meditate on your precepts
    and fix my eyes on your (U)ways.
16 I will (V)delight in your statutes;
    I will not forget your word.

Gimel

17 (W)Deal bountifully with your servant,
    (X)that I may live and keep your word.
18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
    wondrous things out of your law.
19 I am (Y)a sojourner on the earth;
    (Z)hide not your commandments from me!
20 My soul is consumed with (AA)longing
    for your rules[d] at all times.
21 You rebuke (AB)the insolent, (AC)accursed ones,
    who (AD)wander from your commandments.
22 Take away from me (AE)scorn and contempt,
    (AF)for I have kept your testimonies.
23 Even though (AG)princes sit plotting against me,
    your servant will (AH)meditate on your statutes.
24 Your testimonies are my (AI)delight;
    they are my (AJ)counselors.

Daleth

25 (AK)My soul clings to the dust;
    (AL)give me life (AM)according to your word!
26 When (AN)I told of my ways, you answered me;
    (AO)teach me your statutes!
27 (AP)Make me understand the way of your precepts,
    and I will (AQ)meditate on your wondrous works.
28 (AR)My soul melts away for sorrow;
    strengthen me according to your word!
29 Put false ways far from me
    and graciously (AS)teach me your law!
30 I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
    I (AT)set your rules before me.
31 I cling to your testimonies, O Lord;
    (AU)let me not be put to shame!
32 I will run in the way of your commandments
    when you (AV)enlarge my heart![e]

He

33 (AW)Teach me, O Lord, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it (AX)to the end.[f]
34 (AY)Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 (AZ)Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I (BA)delight in it.
36 (BB)Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to (BC)selfish gain!
37 (BD)Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and (BE)give me life in your ways.
38 (BF)Confirm to your servant your promise,
    (BG)that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the (BH)reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I (BI)long for your precepts;
    (BJ)in your righteousness give me life!

Waw

41 Let your (BK)steadfast love come to me, O Lord,
    your salvation (BL)according to your promise;
42 then (BM)shall I have an answer for him (BN)who taunts me,
    for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
    for my (BO)hope is in your rules.
44 I will keep your law continually,
    forever and ever,
45 and I shall walk (BP)in a wide place,
    for I have (BQ)sought your precepts.
46 I will also speak of your testimonies (BR)before kings
    and shall not be put to shame,
47 for I (BS)find my delight in your commandments,
    which I love.
48 I will (BT)lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
    and I will (BU)meditate on your statutes.

Zayin

49 Remember (BV)your word to your servant,
    in which you have made me (BW)hope.
50 This is (BX)my comfort in my affliction,
    that your promise (BY)gives me life.
51 (BZ)The insolent utterly deride me,
    but I do not (CA)turn away from your law.
52 When I think of your rules from of old,
    I take comfort, O Lord.
53 (CB)Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
    who forsake your law.
54 Your statutes have been my songs
    in the house of my (CC)sojourning.
55 I (CD)remember your name in the night, O Lord,
    and keep your law.
56 This blessing has fallen to me,
    that (CE)I have kept your precepts.

Heth

57 (CF)The Lord is my portion;
    I promise to keep your words.
58 I (CG)entreat your favor with all my heart;
    be gracious to me (CH)according to your promise.
59 When I (CI)think on my ways,
    I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60 I hasten and do not delay
    to keep your commandments.
61 Though (CJ)the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
    I do not (CK)forget your law.
62 At (CL)midnight I rise to praise you,
    because of your (CM)righteous rules.
63 (CN)I am a companion of all who fear you,
    of those who keep your precepts.
64 (CO)The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love;
    (CP)teach me your statutes!

Teth

65 You have dealt well with your servant,
    O Lord, (CQ)according to your word.
66 Teach me (CR)good judgment and knowledge,
    for I believe in your commandments.
67 (CS)Before I was afflicted I went astray,
    but now I keep your word.
68 (CT)You are good and do good;
    (CU)teach me your statutes.
69 (CV)The insolent (CW)smear me with lies,
    but with my whole heart I (CX)keep your precepts;
70 their heart is unfeeling (CY)like fat,
    but I (CZ)delight in your law.
71 It is (DA)good for me that I was afflicted,
    that I might learn your statutes.
72 (DB)The law of your mouth is better to me
    than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

Yodh

73 (DC)Your hands have made and fashioned me;
    (DD)give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74 Those who fear you shall see me and (DE)rejoice,
    because I have (DF)hoped in your word.
75 I know, O Lord, that your rules are (DG)righteous,
    and that in (DH)faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76 Let your steadfast love comfort me
    according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your (DI)mercy come to me, that I may live;
    for your law is my (DJ)delight.
78 Let (DK)the insolent be put to (DL)shame,
    because they have (DM)wronged me with falsehood;
    as for me, I will (DN)meditate on your precepts.
79 Let those who fear you (DO)turn to me,
    that they may know your testimonies.
80 May my heart be (DP)blameless in your statutes,
    (DQ)that I may not be put to shame!

Kaph

81 My soul (DR)longs for your salvation;
    I (DS)hope in your word.
82 My (DT)eyes long for your promise;
    I ask, (DU)“When will you comfort me?”
83 For I have (DV)become like a (DW)wineskin in the smoke,
    yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 (DX)How long must your servant endure?[g]
    (DY)When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 (DZ)The insolent have (EA)dug pitfalls for me;
    they do not live according to your law.
86 All your commandments are (EB)sure;
    they persecute me (EC)with falsehood; (ED)help me!
87 They have almost made an end of me on earth,
    but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88 In your steadfast love (EE)give me life,
    that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

Lamedh

89 Forever, O Lord, your (EF)word
    is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90 Your (EG)faithfulness endures to all generations;
    you have (EH)established the earth, and it (EI)stands fast.
91 By your (EJ)appointment they stand this day,
    for all things are your servants.
92 If your law had not been my (EK)delight,
    I would have perished in my affliction.
93 I will never forget your precepts,
    for by them you have (EL)given me life.
94 I am yours; save me,
    (EM)for I have sought your precepts.
95 The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
    but I consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen a limit to all perfection,
    but your commandment is exceedingly (EN)broad.

Mem

97 Oh how (EO)I love your law!
    It is my (EP)meditation all the day.
98 Your commandment makes me (EQ)wiser than my enemies,
    for it is ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers,
    for (ER)your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than (ES)the aged,[h]
    for I (ET)keep your precepts.
101 I (EU)hold back my feet from every evil way,
    in order to keep your word.
102 I do not turn aside from your rules,
    for you have taught me.
103 How (EV)sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding;
    therefore (EW)I hate every false way.

Nun

105 (EX)Your word is a lamp to my feet
    and a light to my path.
106 I have (EY)sworn an oath and confirmed it,
    to keep your (EZ)righteous rules.
107 I am severely (FA)afflicted;
    (FB)give me life, O Lord, according to your word!
108 Accept (FC)my freewill offerings of praise, O Lord,
    and (FD)teach me your rules.
109 I hold my life (FE)in my hand continually,
    but I do not (FF)forget your law.
110 The wicked have laid (FG)a snare for me,
    but (FH)I do not stray from your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are (FI)my heritage forever,
    for they are (FJ)the joy of my heart.
112 I (FK)incline my heart to perform your statutes
    forever, (FL)to the end.[i]

Samekh

113 I hate (FM)the double-minded,
    but I love (FN)your law.
114 You are my (FO)hiding place and my (FP)shield;
    I (FQ)hope in your word.
115 (FR)Depart from me, you evildoers,
    that I may (FS)keep the commandments of my God.
116 Uphold me (FT)according to your promise, that I may live,
    and let me not be (FU)put to shame in my (FV)hope!
117 (FW)Hold me up, that I may be safe
    and have regard for your statutes continually!
118 You (FX)spurn all who (FY)go astray from your statutes,
    for their cunning is in vain.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like (FZ)dross,
    therefore (GA)I love your testimonies.
120 My flesh (GB)trembles for fear of you,
    and I am afraid of your judgments.

Ayin

121 I have done what is just and right;
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Give your servant (GC)a pledge of good;
    let not (GD)the insolent oppress me.
123 My (GE)eyes long for your salvation
    and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124 Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
    and (GF)teach me your statutes.
125 I am your (GG)servant; (GH)give me understanding,
    that I may know your testimonies!
126 It is time for the Lord to act,
    for your law has been broken.
127 Therefore I (GI)love your commandments
    above gold, above fine gold.
128 Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
    I hate every (GJ)false way.

Pe

129 Your testimonies are (GK)wonderful;
    therefore my soul (GL)keeps them.
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it imparts (GM)understanding to the simple.
131 I (GN)open my mouth and (GO)pant,
    because I (GP)long for your commandments.
132 (GQ)Turn to me and be gracious to me,
    as is your way with those who love your name.
133 (GR)Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
    and let no iniquity (GS)get dominion over me.
134 (GT)Redeem me from man's oppression,
    that I may keep your precepts.
135 (GU)Make your face shine upon your servant,
    and (GV)teach me your statutes.
136 My eyes (GW)shed streams of tears,
    because people (GX)do not keep your law.

Tsadhe

137 (GY)Righteous are you, O Lord,
    and right are your rules.
138 You have appointed your testimonies in (GZ)righteousness
    and in all (HA)faithfulness.
139 My (HB)zeal consumes me,
    because my foes forget your words.
140 Your promise is well (HC)tried,
    and your servant (HD)loves it.
141 I am small and despised,
    yet I do not (HE)forget your precepts.
142 Your righteousness is righteous forever,
    and your law is (HF)true.
143 Trouble and anguish have found me out,
    but your commandments are my (HG)delight.
144 Your testimonies are righteous forever;
    (HH)give me understanding that I may (HI)live.

Qoph

145 With my (HJ)whole heart I cry; answer me, O Lord!
    I will (HK)keep your statutes.
146 I call to you; save me,
    that I may observe your testimonies.
147 I rise before (HL)dawn and cry for help;
    I (HM)hope in your words.
148 My eyes are awake before (HN)the watches of the night,
    that I may meditate on your promise.
149 Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
    O Lord, (HO)according to your justice (HP)give me life.
150 They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
    they are far from your law.
151 But (HQ)you are near, O Lord,
    and all your commandments are (HR)true.
152 Long have I known from your testimonies
    that you have (HS)founded them forever.

Resh

153 Look on my (HT)affliction and deliver me,
    for (HU)I do not forget your law.
154 (HV)Plead my cause and redeem me;
    (HW)give me life according to your promise!
155 (HX)Salvation is far from the wicked,
    (HY)for they do not seek your statutes.
156 (HZ)Great is your mercy, O Lord;
    (IA)give me life according to your rules.
157 (IB)Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
    but I do not (IC)swerve from your testimonies.
158 I look at (ID)the faithless with (IE)disgust,
    because they do not keep your commands.
159 Consider how I (IF)love your precepts!
    (IG)Give me life, O Lord, according to your steadfast love.
160 (IH)The sum of your word is (II)truth,
    and every one of your (IJ)righteous rules endures forever.

Sin and Shin

161 (IK)Princes persecute me (IL)without cause,
    but my heart (IM)stands in awe of your words.
162 I (IN)rejoice at your word
    like one who (IO)finds great spoil.
163 I hate and abhor falsehood,
    but I love (IP)your law.
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your (IQ)righteous rules.
165 Great (IR)peace have those who love your law;
    (IS)nothing can make them stumble.
166 I (IT)hope for your salvation, O Lord,
    and I do your commandments.
167 My soul keeps your testimonies;
    I (IU)love them exceedingly.
168 I keep your precepts and testimonies,
    (IV)for all my ways are before you.

Taw

169 Let my (IW)cry come before you, O Lord;
    (IX)give me understanding (IY)according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
    (IZ)deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will (JA)pour forth praise,
    for you (JB)teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
    for (JC)all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
    for I have (JD)chosen your precepts.
174 I (JE)long for your salvation, O Lord,
    and your law is my (JF)delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
    and let your rules help me.
176 I have (JG)gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
    for I do not (JH)forget your commandments.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem of twenty-two stanzas, following the letters of the Hebrew alphabet; within a stanza, each verse begins with the same Hebrew letter
  2. Psalm 119:7 Or your just and righteous decrees; also verses 62, 106, 160, 164
  3. Psalm 119:13 Or all the just decrees
  4. Psalm 119:20 Or your just decrees; also verses 30, 39, 43, 52, 75, 102, 108, 137, 156, 175
  5. Psalm 119:32 Or for you set my heart free
  6. Psalm 119:33 Or keep it as my reward
  7. Psalm 119:84 Hebrew How many are the days of your servant?
  8. Psalm 119:100 Or the elders
  9. Psalm 119:112 Or statutes; the reward is eternal

Book One

The Way of the Righteous and the Wicked

Blessed is the man[a]
    who (A)walks not in (B)the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in (C)the way of sinners,
    nor (D)sits in (E)the seat of (F)scoffers;
but his (G)delight is in the law[b] of the Lord,
    and on his (H)law he meditates day and night.

He is like (I)a tree
    planted by (J)streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its (K)leaf does not wither.
(L)In all that he does, he prospers.
The wicked are not so,
    but are like (M)chaff that the wind drives away.

Therefore the wicked (N)will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in (O)the congregation of the righteous;
for the Lord (P)knows (Q)the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.

The Reign of the Lord's Anointed

(R)Why do (S)the nations rage[c]
    and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his (T)Anointed, saying,
“Let us (U)burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

He who (V)sits in the heavens (W)laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
Then he will speak to them in his (X)wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
“As for me, I have (Y)set my King
    on (Z)Zion, my (AA)holy hill.”

I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, (AB)“You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and (AC)the ends of the earth your possession.
You shall (AD)break[d] them with (AE)a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like (AF)a potter's vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 (AG)Serve the Lord with (AH)fear,
    and (AI)rejoice with (AJ)trembling.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 1:1 The singular Hebrew word for man (ish) is used here to portray a representative example of a godly person; see Preface
  2. Psalm 1:2 Or instruction
  3. Psalm 2:1 Or nations noisily assemble
  4. Psalm 2:9 Revocalization yields (compare Septuagint) You shall rule

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