Be Imitators of God

1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2and walk in love, just as Christ also loved [a]you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God [b]as a fragrant aroma.

3But sexual immorality [c]or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among [d]saints; 4and there must be no filthiness [e]or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 5For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or [f]impure or greedy person, which [g]amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

6See that no one deceives you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the [h]sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10[i]as you try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Do not participate in the useless deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; 12for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret. 13But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. 14For this reason [j]it says,

“Awake, sleeper,

And arise from the dead,

And Christ will shine on you.”

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

Marriage like Christ and the Church

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

25Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, 26so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, 27that He might present to Himself the church [q]in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. 28So husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself; 29for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, 30because we are parts of His body. 31FOR THIS REASON A MAN SHALL LEAVE HIS FATHER AND HIS MOTHER AND BE JOINED TO HIS WIFE, AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE FLESH. 32This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33Nevertheless, as for you individually, each husband is to love his own wife the same as himself, and the wife must see to it that she respects her husband.