1 So be imitators of God, as his dear children. ISV — Ephesians 5:1
2 Live lovingly, just as the Messiah a5:2 Or Christ also loved us b5:2 Other mss. read you and gave himself for us as an offering and sacrifice, a fragrant aroma to God. ISV — Ephesians 5:2
3 Do not let sexual sin, impurity of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. ISV — Ephesians 5:3
4 Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving. ISV — Ephesians 5:4
5 For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah c5:5 Or Christ and of God. ISV — Ephesians 5:5
6 Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey. d5:6 Lit. with the sons of disobedience ISV — Ephesians 5:6
7 So do not be partners with them. ISV — Ephesians 5:7
8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, ISV — Ephesians 5:8
9 for the fruit that the light e5:9 Other mss. read fruit of the Spirit produces consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth. ISV — Ephesians 5:9
10 Determine what pleases the Lord, ISV — Ephesians 5:10
11 and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. ISV — Ephesians 5:11
12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by these disobedient people f5:12 Lit. by them in secret. ISV — Ephesians 5:12
13 But everything that is exposed to the light becomes visible, ISV — Ephesians 5:13
14 for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says, “Wake up, sleeper! Arise from the dead, and the Messiah g5:14 Or Christ will shine on you.’’ h5:14 The source of this quote is unknown. ISV — Ephesians 5:14
15 So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, ISV — Ephesians 5:15
16 making the best use of your time i5:16 Or buying up the time because the times are evil. ISV — Ephesians 5:16
17 Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. ISV — Ephesians 5:17
18 Stop getting j5:18 Or Do not get drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit. ISV — Ephesians 5:18
19 Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts; ISV — Ephesians 5:19
20 you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah; k5:20 Or Christ ISV — Ephesians 5:20
21 and you will submit to one another out of reverence for l5:21 Or another in the fear of the Messiah. m5:21 Or Christ ISV — Ephesians 5:21
22 Wives, submit yourselves n5:22 Other mss. lack submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord. ISV — Ephesians 5:22
23 For the husband is the head of his wife as the Messiah o5:23 Or Christ is the head of the church. It is he who is the Savior of the body. ISV — Ephesians 5:23
24 Indeed, just as the church is submissive to the Messiah, p5:24 Or Christ so wives must be submissive q5:24 The Gk. lacks must be submissive to their husbands in everything. ISV — Ephesians 5:24
25 Husbands, love your wives as the Messiah r5:25 Or Christ loved the church and gave himself for it, ISV — Ephesians 5:25
26 so that he might make it holy by cleansing it, washing it with water and the word, ISV — Ephesians 5:26
27 and might present the church to himself in all its glory, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, but holy and without fault. ISV — Ephesians 5:27
28 In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love s5:28 The Gk. lacks they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. ISV — Ephesians 5:28
29 For no one has ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, as the Messiah t5:29 Or Christ does u5:29 The Gk. lacks does the church. ISV — Ephesians 5:29
30 For we are parts of his body—of his flesh and of his bones. v5:30 Other mss. lack of his flesh and of his bones ISV — Ephesians 5:30
31 “That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” w5:31 Gen 2:24 ISV — Ephesians 5:31
32 This is a great secret, but I am talking about the Messiah x5:32 Or Christ and the church. ISV — Ephesians 5:32
33 But each individual man among you must love his wife as he loves y5:33 The Gk. lacks he loves himself; and may the wife fear her husband. ISV — Ephesians 5:33