Ephesians 5-6

Christian Standard Bible

5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children, ² and walk in love, as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us,^(A) a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. ³ But sexual immorality^(B) and any impurity^(C) or greed^(D) should not even be heard of^[a] among you, as is proper for saints. ⁴ Obscene and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. ⁵ For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral^(E) or impure^(F) or greedy^(G) person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom^(H) of Christ and of God.

Light versus Darkness

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath^(I) is coming on the disobedient^[b] because of these things. ⁷ Therefore, do not become their partners. ⁸ For you were once darkness, but now you are light^(J) in the Lord. Walk as children of light^(K)— ⁹ for the fruit of the light^[c] consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth^(L)— ¹⁰ testing^(M) what is pleasing^(N) to the Lord. ¹¹ Don’t participate in the fruitless^(O) works of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹² For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. ¹³ Everything exposed by the light is made visible,^{(P) 14} for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:

Consistency in the Christian Life

¹⁵ Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— ¹⁶ making the most of the time,^[d](T) because the days are evil. ¹⁷ So don’t be foolish, but understand^(U) what the Lord’s will^(V) is. ¹⁸ And don’t get drunk^(W) with wine,^(X) which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:^{(Y) 19} speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.^(Z)

Wives and Husbands

²² Wives,^(AA) submit^[e](AB) to your husbands^(AC) as to the Lord, ²³ because the husband is the head of the wife^(AD) as Christ is the head^(AE) of the church. He is the Savior of the body.^{(AF) 24} Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. ²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(AG) just as Christ loved^(AH) the church and gave himself^(AI) for her ²⁶ to make her holy, cleansing^[f] her with the washing of water by the word. ²⁷ He did this to present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.^{(AJ) 28} In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, ³⁰ since we are members of his body.^{[g] 31} For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,^(AK) and the two will become one flesh.^{[h](AL) 32} This mystery^(AM) is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey^(AN) your parents in the Lord, because this is right. 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 have a long life in the land.^{[i][j](AO) 4} Fathers, don’t stir up anger^(AP) in your children, but bring them up in the training^(AQ) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your human^[k] masters^(AR) with fear and trembling,^(AS) in the sincerity^(AT) of your heart, as you would Christ. ⁶ Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will^(AU) from your heart. ⁷ Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,^{(AV) 8} knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. ⁹ And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening^(AW) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(AX) with him.^(AY)

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.^{(AZ) 11} Put on^(BA) the full armor^(BB) of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh^(BC) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(BD) against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,^(BE) spiritual forces in the heavens.^{(BF) 13} For this reason take up the full armor^(BG) of God, so that you may be able to resist^(BH) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand,^(BI) therefore, with truth^(BJ) like a belt around your waist, righteousness^(BK) like armor on your chest,^{(BL) 15} and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield^(BM) of faith^(BN) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(BO) 17} Take the helmet^(BP) of salvation and the sword^(BQ) of the Spirit^(BR)—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray^(BS) at all times in the Spirit^(BT) with every prayer and request, and stay alert^(BU) with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness^(BV) the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador^(BW) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

²¹ Tychicus,^(BX) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant^[l] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. ²² I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage^(BY) your hearts.^(BZ)

²³ Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father^(CA) and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.^[m][n]