Imitators of God

1Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath delivered himself for us, an oblation and a sacrifice to God for an odour of sweetness.

3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not so much as be named among you, as becometh saints: 4Or obscenity, or foolish talking, or scurrility, which is to no purpose; but rather giving of thanks. 5For know you this and understand, that no fornicator, or unclean, or covetous person (which is a serving of idols), hath inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6Let no man deceive you with vain words. For because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the children of unbelief. 7Be ye not therefore partakers with them.

Children of Light

8For you were heretofore darkness, but now light in the Lord. Walk then as children of the light. 9For the fruit of the light is in all goodness, and justice, and truth; 10Proving what is well pleasing to God: 11And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For the things that are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of. 13But all things that are reproved, are made manifest by the light; for all that is made manifest is light.

14Wherefore he saith: Rise thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead: and Christ shall enlighten thee.

15See therefore, brethren, how you walk circumspectly: not as unwise, 16But as wise: redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore become not unwise, but understanding what is the will of God. 18And be not drunk with wine, wherein is luxury; but be ye filled with the holy Spirit, 19Speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord; 20Giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God and the Father: 21Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ.

Wives and Husbands

(Song of Solomon 1:1-3; 1 Peter 3:1-7)

22Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord: 23Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church. He is the saviour of his body. 24Therefore as the church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things.

25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the church, and delivered himself up for it: 26That he might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life: 27That 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. 28So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself. 29For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the church: 30Because we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. 32This is a great sacrament; but I speak in Christ and in the church. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular love his wife as himself: and let the wife fear her husband.