Ephesians 5-6

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

5 ¹ Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children,^{(A) 2} and walk in love, as Christ loved us^[a] and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(B)

Renounce Pagan Ways

³ But sexual immorality and impurity of any kind or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints.^{(C) 4} Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. ⁵ Be sure of this, that no sexually immoral or impure person or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^(D)

⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient.^{[b](E) 7} Therefore do not be associated with them, ⁸ for once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Walk as children of light,^{(F) 9} for the fruit of the light^[c] is found in all that is good and right and true. ¹⁰ Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness; rather, expose them.^{(G) 12} For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly, ¹³ but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, ¹⁴ for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,

¹⁵ Be careful, then, how you live,^[d] not as unwise people but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of the time, because the days are evil.^{(I) 17} So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.^{(J) 18} Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,^{(K) 19} as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to one another, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,^{(L) 20} giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,^{(M) 21} being subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

The Christian Household

²² Wives, be subject^[e] to your husbands as to the Lord,^{(N) 23} for the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior.^{(O) 24} Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her ²⁶ in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, ²⁷ so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, so that she may be holy and without blemish.^{(P) 28} In the same way, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ For no one ever hates his own flesh, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, ³⁰ because we are members of his body.^{[f](Q) 31} “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{(R) 32} This is a great mystery, but I am speaking about Christ and the church. ³³ Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect^[g] her husband.

Children and Parents

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord,^[h] for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother”—this is the first commandment with a promise^(S)— ³ “so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

⁴ And, fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.^(T)

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^[i] and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ,^{(U) 6} not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul. ⁷ Render service with enthusiasm, as for the Lord and not for humans, ⁸ knowing that whatever good we do, we will receive the same again from the Lord, whether we are enslaved or free.

⁹ And, masters,^[j] do the same to them. Stop threatening them, for you know that both of you have the same Lord^[k] in heaven, and with him there is no partiality.^(V)

The Whole Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power; ¹¹ put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil, ¹² for our^[l] struggle is not against blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present^[m] darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.^{[n](W) 13} Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand on the evil day and, having prevailed against everything, to stand firm.^{(X) 14} Stand, therefore, and belt your waist with truth and put on the breastplate of righteousness^{(Y) 15} and lace up your sandals in preparation for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ With all of these,^[o] take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(Z) 17} Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.^{(AA) 18} Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints.^{(AB) 19} Pray also for me, so that when I speak a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,^{[p](AC) 20} for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.^(AD)

Personal Matters and Benediction

²¹ So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus will tell you everything. He is a dear brother and a faithful minister in the Lord.^{(AE) 22} I am sending him to you for this very purpose, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.

²³ Peace be to the brothers and sisters and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^{(AF) 24} Grace be with all who have an undying love for^[q] our Lord Jesus Christ.^[r]