Ephesians 5-6

New International Version

5 ¹ Follow God’s example,^(A) therefore, as dearly loved children^{(B) 2} and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(C) and gave himself up for us^(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(E)

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^{(I) 5} For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(J)—has any inheritance^(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^{[a](L) 6} Let no one deceive you^(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(N) comes on those who are disobedient.^{(O) 7} Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸ For you were once^(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^{(Q) 9} (for the fruit^(R) of the light consists in all goodness,^(S) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰ and find out what pleases the Lord.^{(T) 11} Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(U) but rather expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³ But everything exposed by the light^(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴ This is why it is said:

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

Instructions for Christian Households^(AH)

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

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

²⁵ Husbands, love your wives,^(AN) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^{(AO) 26} to make her holy,^(AP) cleansing^[b] her by the washing^(AQ) with water through the word, ²⁷ and to present her to himself^(AR) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^{(AS) 28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(AT) 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.^{(AU) 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.”^{[c](AV) 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^(AW) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(AX) 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.”^[d](AY)

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

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(BB) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(BC) just as you would obey Christ.^{(BD) 6} Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(BE) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(BF) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(BG) 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^(BH) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(BI) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(BJ) and in his mighty power.^{(BK) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(BL) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(BM) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(BN) against the powers^(BO) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(BP) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(BQ) 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,^(BR) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(BS) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(BT) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(BU) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(BV) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(BW) and the sword of the Spirit,^(BX) which is the word of God.^(BY)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(BZ) on all occasions^(CA) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(CB) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(CC) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(CD) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(CE) make known the mystery^(CF) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(CG) in chains.^(CH) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹ Tychicus,^(CI) 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,^(CJ) and that he may encourage you.^(CK)

²³ Peace^(CL) to the brothers and sisters,^[f] 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.^[g]