1 B e therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.

Do as God would do. Much-loved children want to do as their fathers do.

2 W alk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

Live with love as Christ loved you. He gave Himself for us, a gift on the altar to God which was as a sweet smell to God.

3 B ut sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;

Do not let sex sins or anything sinful be even talked about among those who belong to Christ. Do not always want everything.

4 n or filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate; but rather giving of thanks.

Do not be guilty of telling bad stories and of foolish talk. These things are not for you to do. Instead, you are to give thanks for what God has done for you.

5 K now this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

Be sure of this! No person who does sex sins or who is not pure will have any part in the holy nation of Christ and of God. The same is true for the person who always wants what other people have. This becomes a god to him.

6 L et no one deceive you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

Do not let anyone lead you in the wrong way with foolish talk. The anger of God comes on such people because they choose to not obey Him.

7 T herefore don’t be partakers with them.

Have nothing to do with them.

8 F or you were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord. Walk as children of light,

At one time you lived in darkness. Now you are living in the light that comes from the Lord. Live as children who have the light of the Lord in them.

9 f or the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,

This light gives us truth. It makes us right with God and makes us good.

10 p roving what is well pleasing to the Lord.

Learn how to please the Lord.

11 H ave no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them.

Have nothing to do with the bad things done in darkness. Instead, show that these things are wrong.

12 F or the things which are done by them in secret, it is a shame even to speak of.

It is a shame even to talk about these things done in secret.

13 B ut all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.

All things can be seen when they are in the light. Everything that can be seen is in the light.

14 T herefore he says, “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

The Holy Writings say, “Wake up, you who are sleeping. Rise from the dead and Christ will give you light.” Be Filled With the Spirit of God

15 T herefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise;

So be careful how you live. Live as men who are wise and not foolish.

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

Make the best use of your time. These are sinful days.

17 T herefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Do not be foolish. Understand what the Lord wants you to do.

18 D on’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

Do not get drunk with wine. That leads to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

19 s peaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing, and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Tell of your joy to each other by singing the Songs of David and church songs. Sing in your heart to the Lord.

20 g iving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

Always give thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. How Wives Must Live

21 s ubjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.

Be willing to help and care for each other because of Christ. By doing this, you honor Christ.

22 W ives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

Wives, obey your own husbands. In doing this, you obey the Lord.

23 F or the husband is the head of the wife, and Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.

For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. It is His body (the church) that He saves.

24 B ut as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.

As the church is to obey Christ, wives are to obey their own husbands in everything. How Husbands Must Live

25 H usbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly, and gave himself up for it;

Husbands, love your wives. You must love them as Christ loved the church. He gave His life for it.

26 t hat he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word,

Christ did this so He could set the church apart for Himself. He made it clean by the washing of water with the Word.

27 t hat he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without defect.

Christ did this so the church might stand before Him in shining-greatness. There is to be no sin of any kind in it. It is to be holy and without blame.

28 E ven so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.

So men should love their wives as they love their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

29 F or no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly;

No man hates himself. He takes care of his own body. That is the way Christ does. He cares for His body which is the church.

30 b ecause we are members of his body, of his flesh and bones.

We are all a part of His body, the church.

31 “ For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will be joined to his wife. The two will become one flesh.”

For this reason, a man must leave his father and mother when he gets married and be joined to his wife. The two become one.

32 T his mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and of the assembly.

This is hard to understand, but it shows that the church is the body of Christ.

33 N evertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

So every man must love his wife as he loves himself. Every wife must respect her husband.