Ephesians (The Epistle of Paul to the )

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.

But do not let immorality or any impurity or greed even be named among you, as is proper among saints;

and [there must be no] filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

Therefore do not be partakers with them;

(for the fruit of the light [consists] in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them;

for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

For this reason it says, "Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you."

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise,

making the most of your time, because the days are evil.

So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.

Wives, [be subject] to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

For 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.

But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives [ought to be] to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her;

that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless.

So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;

for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also [does] the church,

because we are members of His body.

For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and the two shall become one flesh.

This mystery is great; but I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

Nevertheless let each individual among you also love his own wife even as himself; and [let] the wife [see to it] that she respect her husband.