Live in Love

1Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children 2and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. 4Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. 5For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Live in the Light

6Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not be partakers with them, 8for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – 9for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – 10trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. 14For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper!

Rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you!”

Live Wisely

15Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, 16taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Exhortations to Households

22Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, 23because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. 24But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her 26to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, 27so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. 28In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, 30for we are members of his body. 31For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.