Ephesians 5 - International Standard Version (ISV)

5 So be imitators of God, as his dear children. 2 Live lovingly, just as the Messiah[a] also loved us[b] and gave himself for us as an offering and sacrifice, a fragrant aroma to God. 3 Do not let sexual sin, impurity of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. 4 Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah[c] and of God.

Living in the Light

6 Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey.[d] 7 So do not be partners with them. 8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, 9 for the fruit that the light[e] produces consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10 Determine what pleases the Lord, 11 and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by these disobedient people[f] in secret. 13 But everything that is exposed to the light becomes visible, 14 for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says,

“Wake up, sleeper!
Arise from the dead,
and the Messiah[g] will shine on you.’’[h]

Wise Behavior

15 So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, 16 making the best use of your time[i] because the times are evil. 17 Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Stop getting[j] drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit. 19 Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts; 20 you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah;[k] 21 and you will submit to one another out of reverence for[l] the Messiah.[m]

Wives and Husbands

22 Wives, submit yourselves[n] to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of his wife as the Messiah[o] is the head of the church. It is he who is the Savior of the body. 24 Indeed, just as the church is submissive to the Messiah,[p] so wives must be submissive[q] to their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives as the Messiah[r] loved the church and gave himself for it, 26 so that he might make it holy by cleansing it, washing it with water and the word, 27 and might present the church to himself in all its glory, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, but holy and without fault. 28 In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love[s] their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one has ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, as the Messiah[t] does[u] the church.

30 For we are parts of his body—of his flesh and of his bones.[v] 31 “That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”[w] 32 This is a great secret, but I am talking about the Messiah[x] and the church. 33 But each individual man among you must love his wife as he loves[y] himself; and may the wife fear her husband.

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 5:2 Or Christ
  2. Ephesians 5:2 Other mss. read you
  3. Ephesians 5:5 Or Christ
  4. Ephesians 5:6 Lit. with the sons of disobedience
  5. Ephesians 5:9 Other mss. read fruit of the Spirit
  6. Ephesians 5:12 Lit. by them
  7. Ephesians 5:14 Or Christ
  8. Ephesians 5:14 The source of this quote is unknown.
  9. Ephesians 5:16 Or buying up the time
  10. Ephesians 5:18 Or Do not get
  11. Ephesians 5:20 Or Christ
  12. Ephesians 5:21 Or another in the fear of
  13. Ephesians 5:21 Or Christ
  14. Ephesians 5:22 Other mss. lack submit yourselves
  15. Ephesians 5:23 Or Christ
  16. Ephesians 5:24 Or Christ
  17. Ephesians 5:24 The Gk. lacks must be submissive
  18. Ephesians 5:25 Or Christ
  19. Ephesians 5:28 The Gk. lacks they love
  20. Ephesians 5:29 Or Christ
  21. Ephesians 5:29 The Gk. lacks does
  22. Ephesians 5:30 Other mss. lack of his flesh and of his bones
  23. Ephesians 5:31 Gen 2:24
  24. Ephesians 5:32 Or Christ
  25. Ephesians 5:33 The Gk. lacks he loves

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Walk in the Light5 Therefore be imitators of God, as dearly loved children; 2 and walk in love, just as Messiah also loved us[a] and gave Himself up for us as an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant aroma. 3 But sexual immorality and any impurity or greed—don’t even let these be mentioned ...
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5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, just as Christ has loved us and has given Himself for us as an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet-smelling savor to God. 3 But do not let fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness even be named among you (as is also be...
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