1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (Mt 5:7; Mt 5:48; Lu 6:36; Eph 4:32)2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ge 8:21; Ro 4:25; Ro 8:37; Ro 14:15; Col 3:14; Heb 7:27; Heb 9:14; Heb 10:10; Heb 10:12)3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. (Ps 16:4; 1Co 6:18; Ga 5:19)4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Ec 10:13; Ro 1:28; Eph 4:29; Eph 5:20)5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous ( that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (1Co 6:9; Col 3:5)6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Mt 24:4; Ro 1:18; Eph 2:2; Col 2:8; Col 3:6; 1Pe 1:14)7Therefore do not become partners with them; (Eph 3:6)8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Isa 2:5; Lu 16:8; Joh 12:35; Joh 12:36; Ac 26:18; Eph 2:1; Eph 2:2)9(for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), (Ga 5:22)10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (1Th 2:4; 1Th 5:21)11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Le 19:17; Ro 6:21; Ro 13:12; 1Co 5:9; 1Ti 5:20)12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. (Eph 5:3)13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, (Joh 3:20; Joh 3:21; Eph 5:9)14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” (Isa 26:19; Isa 51:17; Isa 52:1; Isa 60:1; Mal 4:2; Lu 1:78; Lu 1:79; Ro 13:11)15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, (Pr 15:21; Col 4:5)16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. (Ec 12:1; Am 5:13; Ga 1:4; Eph 5:15; Eph 6:13)17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ro 12:2; 1Th 4:3; 1Th 5:18)18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, (Pr 20:1; Pr 23:20; Pr 23:31; Lu 1:15; 1Co 5:11; Tit 1:6; 1Pe 4:4)19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, (Ac 16:25; 1Co 14:26; Col 3:16; Jas 5:13)20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Joh 14:13; Col 3:17; 1Th 1:2; 2Th 1:3; Heb 13:15)21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (Php 2:3)
Wives and Husbands
22Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. (Ge 3:16; Eph 6:5; Col 3:18)23For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Savior. (1Co 6:13; 1Co 11:3; Eph 1:22; Eph 1:23)24Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit in everything to their husbands. (Col 3:20; Col 3:22; Tit 2:9)25Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, (Eph 5:2; Eph 5:28; 1Pe 3:7)26that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (Joh 15:3; Eph 6:17; Tit 3:5; Heb 6:5; Re 7:14)27so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.[1] (So 4:7; 2Co 1:4; 2Co 11:2)28In the same way husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. (Eph 5:25)29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ does the church,30because we are members of his body. (Ge 2:23; 1Co 6:15)31“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Ge 2:24; Mt 19:5; Mr 10:7; Mr 10:8; 1Co 6:16)32This mystery is profound, and I am saying that it refers to Christ and the church.33However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. (Eph 5:25; 1Pe 3:2; 1Pe 3:6)