20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.

21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.

22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.

23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

24 Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

25 Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

26 Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.

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20 My son, (A)pay attention to my words;
(B)Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 (C)They are not to escape from your sight;
(D)Keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are (E)life to those who find them,
And (F)healing to all [a]their body.
23 Watch over your heart with all diligence,
For (G)from it flow the springs of life.
24 Rid yourself of a (H)deceitful mouth
And (I)keep devious [b]speech far from you.
25 Let your eyes look directly ahead
And let your [c]gaze be fixed straight in front of you.
26 (J)[d]Watch the path of your feet,
And all your (K)ways will be established.
27 (L)Do not turn to the right or to the left;
(M)Turn your foot from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:22 Lit his
  2. Proverbs 4:24 Or lips
  3. Proverbs 4:25 Or eyelids
  4. Proverbs 4:26 I.e., prob. stay on the path

20 My son, attend to my words;
Incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep them in the midst of thy heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them,
And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart [a]with all diligence;
For out of it are the issues of life.
24 Put away from thee a wayward mouth,
And perverse lips put far from thee.
25 Let thine eyes look right on,
And let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
26 [b]Make level the path of thy feet,
And let all thy ways be [c]established.
27 Turn not to the right hand nor to the left:
Remove thy foot from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:23 Or, above all that thou guardest
  2. Proverbs 4:26 Or, Weigh carefully
  3. Proverbs 4:26 Or, ordered aright

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.

16 Rejoice evermore.

17 Pray without ceasing.

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

19 Quench not the Spirit.

20 Despise not prophesyings.

21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.

23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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14 We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish (A)the [a]unruly, encourage (B)the fainthearted, help (C)the weak, be (D)patient with everyone. 15 See that (E)no one repays another with evil for evil, but always (F)seek what is good for one another and for all people. 16 (G)Rejoice always, 17 (H)pray without ceasing, 18 in everything (I)give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 19 (J)Do not quench the Spirit, 20 do not utterly reject [b](K)prophecies, 21 but (L)examine everything; (M)hold firmly to that which is good, 22 abstain from every [c]form of evil.

23 Now (N)may the God of peace (O)Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your (P)spirit and soul and body be kept complete, (Q)without blame at (R)the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 Or undisciplined
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:20 Or prophetic gifts
  3. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Or appearance

14 And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the disorderly, encourage the faint-hearted, support the weak, be longsuffering toward all. 15 See that none render unto any one evil for evil; but always follow after that which is good, one toward another, and toward all. 16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. 19 Quench not the Spirit; 20 despise not prophesyings; 21 [a]prove all things; hold fast that which is good; 22 abstain from every form of evil.

23 And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the [b]coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Thessalonians 5:21 Many ancient authorities insert but.
  2. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Greek presence.

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

27 Neither give place to the devil.

28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

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22 that, in reference to your former way of life, you are to (A)rid yourselves of the (B)old [a]self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the (C)lusts of deceit, 23 and that you are to be (D)renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to (E)put on the (F)new [b]self, which [c](G)in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

25 Therefore, (H)ridding yourselves of falsehood, (I)speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are (J)parts of one another. 26 (K)Be angry, and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and do not (L)give the devil [d]an opportunity. 28 The one who steals must no longer steal; but rather (M)he must labor, (N)producing with his own hands what is good, (O)so that he will have something to share with the one who has need. 29 Let no [e](P)unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for (Q)edification [f]according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear. 30 (R)Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, [g]by whom you were (S)sealed for the day of redemption. 31 (T)All bitterness, wrath, anger, [h]clamor, and slander must be (U)removed from you, along with all (V)malice. 32 (W)Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, (X)just as God in Christ also has forgiven [i]you.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:22 Lit person
  2. Ephesians 4:24 Lit person
  3. Ephesians 4:24 Lit according to God
  4. Ephesians 4:27 Lit a place
  5. Ephesians 4:29 Lit rotten
  6. Ephesians 4:29 Lit of the need
  7. Ephesians 4:30 Lit in
  8. Ephesians 4:31 Or shouting
  9. Ephesians 4:32 Two early mss us

22 that ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life, the old man, that waxeth corrupt after the lusts of deceit; 23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new man, [a]that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.

25 Wherefore, putting away falsehood, [b]speak ye truth each one with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. 26 [c]Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your [d]wrath: 27 neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing that is good, that he may have whereof to give to him that hath need. 29 Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for [e]edifying as the need may be, that it may give grace to them that hear. 30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and railing, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave [f]you.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 4:24 Or, that is after God, created etc.
  2. Ephesians 4:25 Zech. 8:16.
  3. Ephesians 4:26 Ps. 4:4.
  4. Ephesians 4:26 Greek provocation.
  5. Ephesians 4:29 Greek the building up of the need.
  6. Ephesians 4:32 Many ancient authorities read us.

Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

Be Imitators of God

(A)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and (B)walk in love, just as Christ also (C)loved [a]you and (D)gave Himself up for us, an (E)offering and a sacrifice to God [b]as a (F)fragrant aroma.

But (G)sexual immorality [c]or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among [d]saints; and there must be no (H)filthiness [e]or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which (I)are not fitting, but rather (J)giving of thanks. For this you know with certainty, that (K)no sexually immoral or [f]impure or greedy person, which [g]amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom (L)of Christ and God.

(M)See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things (N)the wrath of God comes upon (O)the [h]sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become (P)partners with them; for (Q)you were once (R)darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as (S)children of light (for (T)the fruit of the light consists in all (U)goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 [i](V)as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 (W)Do not participate in the useless (X)deeds of (Y)darkness, but instead even (Z)expose them; 12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things become visible (AA)when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14 For this reason [j]it says,

(AB)Awake, sleeper,
And arise from (AC)the dead,
And Christ (AD)will shine on you.”

15 So then, [k]be careful how you (AE)walk, not (AF)as unwise people but as wise, 16 [l](AG)making the most of your time, because (AH)the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but (AI)understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And (AJ)do not get drunk with wine, [m]in which there is (AK)debauchery, but be (AL)filled with the Spirit, 19 (AM)speaking to [n]one another in (AN)psalms and (AO)hymns and spiritual (AP)songs, (AQ)singing and making melody with your hearts to the Lord; 20 (AR)always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to our (AS)God and Father; 21 [o](AT)and subject yourselves to one another in the [p](AU)fear of Christ.

Marriage like Christ and the Church

22 (AV)Wives, (AW)subject yourselves to your own husbands, (AX)as to the Lord. 23 For (AY)the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the (AZ)head of the church, He Himself (BA)being the Savior of the body. 24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

25 (BB)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (BC)gave Himself up for her, 26 (BD)so that He might sanctify her, having (BE)cleansed her by the (BF)washing of water with (BG)the word, 27 that He might (BH)present to Himself the church [q]in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be (BI)holy and blameless. 28 So husbands also ought to (BJ)love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 because we are (BK)parts of His (BL)body. 31 (BM)For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to (BN)love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she (BO)respects her husband.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:2 One early ms us
  2. Ephesians 5:2 Lit for an odor of fragrance
  3. Ephesians 5:3 Lit and all
  4. Ephesians 5:3 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
  5. Ephesians 5:4 Lit and
  6. Ephesians 5:5 I.e., morally impure
  7. Ephesians 5:5 Lit is
  8. Ephesians 5:6 I.e., people opposed to God
  9. Ephesians 5:10 Lit putting to the test what
  10. Ephesians 5:14 Or He
  11. Ephesians 5:15 Lit look carefully
  12. Ephesians 5:16 Lit redeeming the time
  13. Ephesians 5:18 Or by which
  14. Ephesians 5:19 Or yourselves
  15. Ephesians 5:21 Lit being submissive to
  16. Ephesians 5:21 Or reverence for
  17. Ephesians 5:27 Lit glorious

Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; 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.

But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints; nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, or jesting, which are not befitting: but rather giving of thanks. 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. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them; for ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light (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.

18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

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18 If possible, (A)so far as it depends on you, (B)be at peace with all people. 19 (C)Never take your own revenge, beloved, but [a]leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written: “(D)Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 (E)But if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 12:19 Lit give a place

18 If it be possible, as much as in you lieth, be at peace with all men. 19 Avenge not yourselves, beloved, but give place unto [a]the wrath of God: for it is written, [b]Vengeance belongeth unto me; I will recompense, saith the Lord. 20 But [c]if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him to drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.

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