1 ¶ Be ye therefore imitators of God, as dear children

2 a nd walk in charity even as the Christ also has loved us and has given himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour.

3 ¶ But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not be once named among you as becomes saints,

4 n either dishonest words nor foolishness nor low jesting, which are not convenient, but rather giving of thanks.

5 F or this ye know, that no fornicator nor unclean person nor covetous man, who is also an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6 L et no one deceive you with vain words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

7 B e not ye, therefore, partakers with them.

8 F or in another time ye were darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk as children of light;

9 ( For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth),

10 a pproving what is well pleasing unto the Lord.

11 A nd have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

12 F or it is a shame even to speak of those things which they do in secret.

13 B ut all these things when they are reproved by the light are made manifest, for the light is that which manifests everything.

14 T herefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee.

15 S ee then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

16 r edeeming the time, because the days are evil.

17 T herefore, be ye not unwise, but understanding of what the will of the Lord is.

18 A nd be not drunk with wine, in which there is excess, but be filled with the Spirit,

19 s peaking among yourselves with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and praising the Lord in your hearts,

20 g iving thanks always for all things unto the God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

21 ¶ submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

22 W ives, submit yourselves unto your own husband, as unto the Lord.

23 F or the husband is the head of the wife even as the Christ is head of the congregation, and it is he who gives saving health to the body.

24 T herefore, as the congregation is subject unto the Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.

25 H usbands, love your wives even as the Christ also loved the congregation and gave himself for her,

26 t hat he might sanctify and cleanse her in the washing of water by the word,

27 t hat he might present her glorious for himself, a congregation, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.

28 S o ought husbands to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loves his wife loves himself.

29 F or no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it even as the Lord with his congregation:

30 F or we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 F or this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and shall be joined unto his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh.

32 T his is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the congregation.

33 N evertheless, let each one of you do likewise, let each one so love his wife even as himself, and let the wife see that she reverences her husband.