Ephesians

The epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians, chapter 5, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 5 New English Translation

Live in Love

   1 Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children 2 and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. 3 But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. 4 Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting - all of which are out of character - but rather thanksgiving. 5 For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Live in the Light

   6 Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God's wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not be partakers with them, 8 for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the LORD. Walk as children of the light - 9 for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth - 10 trying to learn what is pleasing to the LORD. 11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. 13 But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. 14 For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says: "Awake, O sleeper! Rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you!"

Live Wisely

   15 Therefore be very careful how you live - not as unwise but as wise, 16 taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the LORD's will is. 18 And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the LORD, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, 21 and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Exhortations to Households

   22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the LORD, 23 because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church - he himself being the savior of the body. 24 But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her 26 to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, 27 so that he may present the church to himself as glorious - not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, 30 for we are members of his body. 31 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. 32 This mystery is great - but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

King James Version

   1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
   2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
   3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
   4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
   5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
   6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
   7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
   8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
   9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
   10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
   11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
   12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
   13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
   14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
   15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
   16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
   17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
   18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
   19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
   20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
   21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
   22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
   23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
   24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
   25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
   26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,
   27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
   28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
   29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
   30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
   31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
   32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
   33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.