Ephesians 5

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