6-7 Don’t let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him. Don’t even hang around people like that.

8-10 You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.

11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,
Climb out of your coffins;
Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

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Let no one deceive you(A) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath(B) comes on those who are disobedient.(C) Therefore do not be partners with them.

For you were once(D) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light(E) (for the fruit(F) of the light consists in all goodness,(G) righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases the Lord.(H) 11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,(I) but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light(J) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,(K)
    rise from the dead,(L)
    and Christ will shine on you.”(M)

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