NET Bible

Live in Love

^5:1 Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children ^5:2 and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. ^5:3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. ^5:4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting—all of which are out of character—but rather thanksgiving. ^5:5 For 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

^5:6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. ^5:7 Therefore do not be sharers with them, ^5:8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light— ^5:9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth— ^5:10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. ^5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. ^5:12 For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. ^5:13 But all things being exposed by the light are made visible. ^5:14 For everything made visible is light, and for this reason it says:

^5:14 “Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!”

Live Wisely

^5:15 Therefore consider carefully how you live—not as unwise but as wise, ^5:16 taking advantage of every opportunity because the days are evil. ^5:17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. ^5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, ^5:19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, ^5:20 always giving thanks to God the Father for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ^5:21 and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Exhortations to Households

^5:22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, ^5:23 because 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). ^5:24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. ^5:25 Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her ^5:26 to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, ^5:27 so that he may present the church to himself as glorious—not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. ^5:28 In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ^5:29 For no one has ever hated his own body, but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, ^5:30 because we are members of his body. ^5:31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. ^5:32 This mystery is great—but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. ^5:33 Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.