Ephesians
Chapter 5
- 1
Therefore, as most beloved sons, be imitators of God.
- 2
And walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and delivered himself for us, as an oblation and a sacrifice to God, with a fragrance of sweetness.
- 3
But let not any kind of fornication, or impurity, or rapacity so much as be named among you, just as is worthy of the saints,
- 4
nor any indecent, or foolish, or abusive talk, for this is without purpose; but instead, give thanks.
- 5
For know and understand this: no one who is a fornicator, or lustful, or rapacious (for these are a kind of service to idols) holds an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
- 6
Let no one seduce you with empty words. For because of these things, the wrath of God was sent upon the sons of unbelief.
- 7
Therefore, do not choose to become participants with them.
- 8
For you were darkness, in times past, but now you are light, in the Lord. So then, walk as sons of the light.
- 9
For the fruit of the light is in all goodness and justice and truth,
- 10
affirming what is well-pleasing to God.
- 11
And so, have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead, refute them.
- 12
For the things that are done by them in secret are shameful, even to mention.
- 13
But all things that are disputed are made manifest by the light. For all that is made manifest is light.
- 14
Because of this, it is said: “You who are sleeping: awaken, and rise up from the dead, and so shall the Christ enlighten you.”
- 15
And so, brothers, see to it that you walk cautiously, not like the foolish,
- 16
but like the wise: atoning for this age, because this is an evil time.
- 17
For this reason, do not choose to be imprudent. Instead, understand what is the will of God.
- 18
And do not choose to be inebriated by wine, for this is self-indulgence. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,
- 19
speaking among yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles, singing and reciting psalms to the Lord in your hearts,
- 20
giving thanks always for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God the Father.
- 21
Be subject to one another in the fear of Christ.
- 22
Wives should be submissive to their husbands, as to the Lord.
- 23
For the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church. He is the Savior of his body.
- 24
Therefore, just as the Church is subject to Christ, so also should wives be subject to their husbands in all things.
- 25
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and handed himself over for her,
- 26
so that he might sanctify her, washing her clean by water and the Word of life,
- 27
so that he might offer her to himself as a glorious Church, not having any spot or wrinkle or any such thing, so that she would be holy and immaculate.
- 28
So, too, husbands should love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
- 29
For no man has ever hated his own flesh, but instead he nourishes and cherishes it, as Christ also does to the Church.
- 30
For we are a part of his body, of his flesh and of his bones.
- 31
“For this reason, a man shall leave behind his father and mother, and he shall cling to his wife; and the two shall be as one flesh.”
- 32
This is a great Sacrament. And I am speaking in Christ and in the Church.
- 33
Yet truly, each and every one of you should love his wife as himself. And a wife should fear her husband.