Old/New Testament

5 So try to be like God, because you are his own dear children.

² Love others as Christ has loved us. He gave his life for us, a sweet smelling offering and a sacrifice to God.

³ As God's people, you should not even talk about wrong living, any kind of wrong sex or wanting things you cannot have.

⁴ There should be no dirty talk, no foolish talk, no funny stories with a wrong meaning. This is not a good way to talk. But what you should do is thank God.

⁵ You know this. There are people who use sex wrongly, and who are always wanting what others have. No such a person has any place in the kingdom of Christ and of God. He is worshipping an idol.

⁶ Do not let anyone fool you by their empty talk. It is because people do these wrong things that God is very angry. He is angry with the people who do not obey him.

⁷ So then, have nothing to do with them.

⁸ You were in the dark before, but now the Lord has given you light. Live like people who have the light.

⁹ People who have the light do all that is good and right and true.

¹⁰ Learn what pleases the Lord.

¹¹ Have no part in the empty things people do in the dark. Show them that they are wrong.

¹² It is a shame even to talk about the things they do in secret.

¹³ But when the light shines on something, it can be seen. Anything that shows up wrong ways is light.

¹⁴ So it is said, `Wake up, you who are asleep! Rise from death. And Christ will give you light.'

¹⁵ Take care how you live. Do not live like people who are not wise, but live like people who are wise.

¹⁶ Make good use of time because people live in very wrong ways these days.