Ephesians 5:15-6:24

New International Version

¹⁵ Be very careful, then, how you live^(A)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity,^(B) because the days are evil.^{(C) 17} Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^{(D) 18} Do not get drunk on wine,^(E) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^{(F) 19} speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(G) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ always giving thanks^(H) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(I)

²¹ Submit to one another^(J) out of reverence for Christ.

²² Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands^(K) as you do to the Lord.^{(L) 23} For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(M) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴ Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(N) in everything.

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(O) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(P) 26} to make her holy,^(Q) cleansing^[a] her by the washing^(R) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(S) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(T) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(U) as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹ After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰ for we are members of his body.^{(V) 31} “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^{[b](W) 32} This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ However, each one of you also must love his wife^(X) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(Y) 2} “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[c](Z)

⁴ Fathers,^[d] do not exasperate your children;^(AA) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(AB)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(AC) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(AD) just as you would obey Christ.^{(AE) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(AF) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(AG) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(AH) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(AI) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(AJ) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(AK) and in his mighty power.^{(AL) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(AM) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(AN) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(AO) against the powers^(AP) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(AQ) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(AR) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(AS) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(AT) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(AU) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(AV) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(AW) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(AX) and the sword of the Spirit,^(AY) which is the word of God.^(AZ)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(BA) on all occasions^(BB) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(BC) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(BD) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(BE) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(BF) make known the mystery^(BG) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(BH) in chains.^(BI) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹ Tychicus,^(BJ) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. ²² I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,^(BK) and that he may encourage you.^(BL)

²³ Peace^(BM) to the brothers and sisters,^[e] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.^[f]