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

Therefore be imitators of God, as well-beloved 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.

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God a sweet fragrance.

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

But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity '> of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God’s consecrated people).

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

Let there be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness.

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.

For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous —for he is 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.

Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments, for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience.

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

So do not associate or be sharers with them.

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

For once you were darkness, but now you 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),

For the fruit (the effect, the product) of the Light or the Spirit in every form of kindly goodness, uprightness of heart, and trueness of life.

10 a pproving what is well pleasing unto the Lord.

And try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

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

Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead expose and reprove and convict them.

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

For it is a shame even to speak of or mention the things that practice 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.

But when anything is exposed and reproved by the light, it is made visible and clear; and where everything is visible and clear there is light.

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

Therefore He says, Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine (make day dawn) upon you and give you light.

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

Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),

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

Making the very most of the time, because the days are evil.

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

Therefore do not be vague and thoughtless and foolish, but understanding and firmly grasping 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,

And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but ever be filled and stimulated with the Spirit.

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

Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices '> and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord,

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

At all times and for everything giving thanks in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father.

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

Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

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

Wives, be subject (be submissive and adapt yourselves) to your own husbands as to 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.

For the husband is head of the wife as Christ is the Head of the church, Himself the Savior of body.

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

As the church is subject to Christ, so let wives also be subject in everything to their husbands.

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

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,

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

So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with 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.

That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things.

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

Even so husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own 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:

For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes it, as Christ does the church,

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

Because we are members (parts) of His body.

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.

For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

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

This mystery is very great, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

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.

However, let each man of you love his wife as his very own self; and let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband '> that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates, and esteems him; and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly].