Ephesians 5

 

1 Therefore (like Christ) be followers of God (your Father) as His beloved children;

 

2 And walk (abiding) in (the) love (of the Father), as Christ also has (demonstrated) His love for us and has given Himself an offering (for our death) and (the) sacrifice (which God has desired from the beginning, to call upon His name) a sweet-smelling fragrance (to God).

 

3 But fornication (with other gods) and all uncleanness (which can defile the heart) or covetousness (which is the lust to bring forth life through your own works, which works being perishable, can never satisfy with eternal life), let those things never be mentioned among you (as a life) fitting for those who are called to (freely) partake of God’s life;

 

4 Neither (let) filthiness (occupy your mind), nor foolishness (corrupt your) speech, nor turn to (clever) insults, which things are (also) unfitting (of the life He has set apart for you): but rather (set your affection upon the incorruptible life He has given you, whereby you are filled with) thanksgiving.

 

5 For this we know (and can be certain of), that no one who runs after other gods (worshiping the works of their own hands, which cannot ever serve them with immortality in their flesh), nor one whose heart is defiled by iniquity (disregarding God’s gift of life in Christ for the life he can serve himself), nor a man lusting after life by the strength contained in his flesh, who is an idolater (in the vain worship of his own will and ability), is able to (ever find those things producing) an inheritance of the kingdom of Christ and of God (in him).

 

6 (Therefore) let no man deceive you with idle words (that have no benefit in their ability to produce the fruit of God’s life unto immortality in your flesh) for it is these very things which God has sworn in His wrath to destroy, which things now work in (the hearts) of the children who refuse to be persuaded (to rest in God and His grace to give them His blessing and life as a gift).

 

7 Therefore, do not be partakers along with them (in the way which perishes).

 

8 For you were at one time (also stumbling around) in darkness (blinded by death), but now you are light (being braided together) with the Lord (in union with His light and life): walk (then) as (His) children (born) from the light (of His life):

 

9 For the fruit that comes from the Spirit is (found) inside all (the) goodness (that comes from the heart of the Father) and (is born from) His incorruptible life and truth (revealed in Jesus Christ);

 

10 By which we are able to discern what is (the only life) acceptable (and well-pleasing) to the Lord (for His children).

 

11 (Therefore) have no fellowship with the way that produces the fruit of death, but rather (let the light that is in you) expose it (as the way unto death) to those who walk in it.

 

12 Because it (can bring) shame to speak (to them) of those things which are done by them in secret.

 

13 But all things that (can be brought to light) are exposed and discerned by revealing the light: because whatever (the light) makes manifest is light.

 

14 This is why it is written, awake you that sleeps (in darkness) and arise from the dead to (see it is) Christ (the light, who) gives you (life and) light.

 

15 Giving all diligence (to that light) then see that you walk (in a manner) fitting (of the light of His life and the hope of immortality) and not as fools but in the wisdom (that comes from Christ).

 

16 (Where you find His life in you) redeems (back) the time (when you walked foolishly in death and darkness by the strength of your own hands) because the days are filled with (enough) labors and annoyances (of their own).

 

17 Therefore, do not be like those who are unwise, but (find wisdom and) understanding (by allowing the life that lives in Him reveal) what the will of the Lord is (for you).

 

18 And do not be excessively drunk with the wine (that the life in the world has to offer you, which has no power to serve you the life you truly desire) but be filled with the Spirit (which satisfies you with His life);

 

19 Speaking (comfort) to yourselves with songs and hymns that contain the Spirit (of life in Christ Jesus) which brings a sweet melody to your heart from the Lord;

 

20 (Where you are continuously) filled with gratitude (in your heart) for all the things (He has done) giving thanks to our God and Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

 

21 Submitting yourselves one to another (preferring each other’s lives over your own) with (the same) reverence of Christ.

 

22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands (as one flesh), just as (you are) with the Lord.

 

23 Because (as one flesh) is the husband the head of the wife, and so also is Christ the head of (the body) the church (that is one flesh), (Christ) Himself being the savior of the body.

 

24 But like the church (as one flesh) is subject to Christ (as its head), so also are the wives to their own husbands for they are all (part of) the same body.

 

25 Husbands, love your wives (as you do your own body), even as Christ also loved the church, and delivered Himself up to save her;

 

26 So that He might sanctify (her from death), having cleansed the body (from death) through the washing of the water with the word (declared in His resurrection from the dead),

 

27 So that He might present the church (His bride) to Himself a glorious body, (free from death and corruption) not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing (which death brought); but that it should be set apart (for the life He determined for them from the beginning) and without blemish (and free from all accusation).

 

28 Even so ought husbands also love their own wives as their own bodies (as one flesh). For he that loves his own wife loves himself (because they are one body).

 

29 Because no man would ever hate his own body; but nourishes and cherishes it, even as Christ also nourishes and loves the church;

 

30 For we are all members of His body.

 

31 And for this reason will a man leave his father and mother and join himself to his wife; and the two will become one flesh.

 

32 This is a great mystery: which I am speaking regarding Christ and the church (how He has joined Himself as one flesh to us, absorbing our death and giving us His life).

 

33 Nevertheless, let each one of you (husbands) love his own wife as he does his own body; and (also) the wife see that she (as one flesh) respect her husband (as one in the Lord).