Ephesians 5

1 Be [follow, imitate] imitators of God [the one true deity], therefore [then, as a consequence], as [like, in the manner of] beloved [cherished, dearly loved] children [born of God, His kids], word study 2 and walk [live, conduct your life] in love [unconditional, selfless affection], just as Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] loved us [with a deep, divine love] and gave Himself up [surrendered, yielded] for us as a fragrant [sweet, pleasing] sacrificial offering [a gift, a presentation] to God [the Supreme Deity, Creator]. word study 3 But among you, as is proper [befitting, suitable] among the saints [holy ones, set apart], there must not be even a hint [or any mention] of sexual immorality [fornication, uncleanness], or of any kind [all forms] of impurity [uncleanness, moral corruption], or of greed [covetousness, avarice]. word study 4 Nor should there be obscenity [filthiness, shameful language], foolish talk [silly or absurd conversation], or crude joking [vulgar jesting, off-color humor], which are out of character [not fitting, improper], but rather thanksgiving [giving of thanks, grateful praise]. word study 5 For of this [that is, the truth] you can be sure: No [sexually] immoral [or unclean], impure [or indecent], or greedy [covetous, desiring more] person (that is, an [idol] idolater), has any inheritance [a share, a possession] in the kingdom [reign, dominion] of Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah] and of God [the Supreme Deity, Creator]. word study 6 Let no one [no person, nothing] deceive you with empty [vain, meaningless] words, for because of such things [these actions, these sins] the wrath [strong anger, righteous indignation] of God [the one true deity] is coming [will come, is on the way] on the sons [children, offspring] of disobedience [rebellious refusal to obey, unbelief]. word study 7 Therefore [then, as a consequence] do not [lest you, God forbid] be [become, come into being] partakers [sharers, joint owners] with them [such people, those individuals]. word study 8 For you were once [in the past, formerly] darkness [spiritual ignorance, absence of light], but now [at this present time] you are light [enlightened, having spiritual understanding] in the Lord [God, the supreme authority]. Walk [live, conduct yourselves] as children [sons and daughters, followers] of light [those who possess spiritual knowledge, righteousness], word study 9 for the fruit [product, result] of the light [spiritual illumination, divine guidance] consists in all [every aspect, everything] goodness [virtue, kindness, generosity], righteousness [moral integrity, justice, living according to God’s will], and truth [reality, sincerity, authenticity]. word study 10 Test [examine, prove by experience] and prove [demonstrate, find out] what [which thing, that which] pleases [is well-pleasing, acceptable] the Lord [God, Master]. word study 11 Have no [do not participate in or share] fellowship [close relationship, communion] with the fruitless [unproductive, unfruitful] deeds [actions, works] of darkness [spiritual ignorance, evil], but rather [instead, more] expose [rebuke, reprove] them [bring to light, convict]. word study 12 For [as a reason, because] it is [exists as] shameful [morally base, disgraceful] even [also, too] to mention [to speak of, say] what [the things, actions] the disobedient [those who refuse to obey, rebellious] do [perform, commit] in secret [privately, hidden from others]. word study 13 But everything [all things, whatsoever] exposed [reproved, shown to be wrong] by the light [natural or spiritual illumination] becomes visible [is made manifest, revealed], for everything [all, whatsoever] that is illuminated [made clear, shown to be true] becomes a light [source of truth, enlightenment] itself [in its own nature, inherently]. word study 14 So it is said: “Wake up [arise, become aware], O sleeper [one who is spiritually asleep], rise up [stand up, be resurrected] from the dead [those who are spiritually lifeless], and Christ [the Anointed One, the Messiah] will shine on [illuminate, give light to] you [as an individual, personally].” word study 15 Pay careful attention [see then, take heed], then, to how [exactly, carefully] you walk [live, behave], not as [like] unwise [fools, lacking judgment] but as [in the manner of] wise [having good judgment, discerning], word study 16 redeeming [making the best use of, buying back] the time [opportunities, the right moment], because [since, for the reason that] the days [periods of life, seasons] are [exist as] evil [bad, morally wrong, causing harm]. word study 17 Therefore [because of this, for this reason] do not be [do not become] foolish [unwise, ignorant], but [instead, on the other hand] understand [comprehend, have insight into] what [which] the Lord’s [of the Lord] will [desire, intention] is [purposes, intends]. word study 18 Do not get drunk [intoxicated, under the influence] on wine [alcoholic beverages], which leads to [results in, characterized by] reckless indiscretion [debauchery, excess]. Instead, be filled [fulfilled, satisfied] with the Spirit [the Holy Spirit, God’s presence]. word study 19 Speak [communicate, talk] to one another [to yourselves, among yourselves] with psalms [sacred songs], hymns [songs of praise], and spiritual [non-carnal, supernatural] songs [odes, melodies]. Sing [make music, utter songs] and make music [melody, praise] in your hearts [the seat of thoughts, feelings] to the Lord [God, Master], word study 20 always [at all times, constantly] giving thanks [expressing gratitude, praise] to God [Almighty] the Father [Creator, heavenly Father] for everything [all things, every circumstance] in the name [authority, character] of our Lord [Master, Savior] Jesus Christ [the Anointed One, Messiah]. word study 21 Submit [humbly obey, subjecting yourselves] to one another [mutually, in a reciprocal relationship] out of [in, with] reverence [fear, deep respect] for Christ [the Anointed One, our Lord]. word study 22 Wives [women, married or unmarried], submit [be in subjection, obey] to your [one’s own, private] husbands [men, as adult males or spouses] as [in the same manner, when] to the Lord [the supreme master, God]. word study 23 For the husband [as the leader and source] is the head [the upper part of the body or a leader] of the wife as Christ [the anointed Messiah] is the head [the leader and source] of the church [the assembly, the community of believers], His body [the whole physical person, used literally or figuratively], of which He [as the Savior and Deliverer] is the Savior [the deliverer, rescuing from harm or danger]. word study 24 Now as the church [the assembly, community of believers] submits [obeys, puts under authority] to Christ [the Anointed, Messiah], so also wives [women, married partners] should submit [be subject, obey] to their husbands [one’s own, private spouses] in everything [all things, every matter]. word study 25 Husbands, love [show esteem and goodwill towards] your wives, just as Christ [the anointed Messiah] loved [demonstrated extreme affection for] the church [the assembly of believers, the body of Christ] and gave Himself up [surrendered, yielded] for her [on her behalf, for her benefit] word study 26 to sanctify [make holy, set apart] her, cleansing [purifying, making clean] her by the washing [baptism, spiritual cleansing] with water [figurative or literal] through the word [declaration, utterance], word study 27 and to present her to Himself [as His own, for His glory] as a glorious [honored, noble] church, without [lacking, free from] stain [moral defect, blemish] or wrinkle [fold, imperfection] or any such [similar, like] blemish, but [on the contrary, instead] holy [set apart, dedicated to God] and blameless [without fault, flawless]. word study 28 In the same way [thus, in this manner], husbands ought to love [show esteem and goodwill towards] their wives [their own women, spouses] as [in the same way as, just like] their own bodies [their physical persons, themselves]. He who loves [has affection for, is devoted to] his wife [his own partner, companion] loves [cares for, has concern for] himself [his own being, his own life]. word study 29 Indeed, no one [none, nobody] ever hated [detested, loved less] his own body [flesh, physical form], but he nourishes [feeds, cares for] and cherishes [cares for, nurtures] it, just as [in the same way] Christ [the Lord, the Anointed One] does [nourishes, cares for] the church [assembly, community of believers]. word study 30 For we are [parts of] members of His [the Lord’s, Christ’s] body [of His flesh, and of His bones]. word study 31 “For this reason [because of this mystery, in view of this] a man will leave [abandon, depart from] his father and mother and be united [joined, cleave] to his wife, and the two [a married couple, husband and wife] will become [be, exist as] one flesh [a single entity, united physically and spiritually].” word study 32 This [great, profound] mystery [secret, hidden truth] is [exists, truly is] profound [great, intense], but I [the speaker] am speaking [to say or declare] about [concerning, in regard to] Christ [the anointed Messiah] and [also] the church [the assembly, community of believers]. word study 33 Nevertheless, each one of you also must love [with esteem and goodwill] his wife [his own partner, companion] as he loves [cherishes, has affection for] himself, and the wife must respect [reverence, have awe for] her husband [her own man, spouse]. word study