Ephesians 5:1–20

Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children. ²And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us, ^va sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. ³But sexual immorality ^wand any impurity ^xor greed ^yshould not even be heard of ^zamong you, as is proper for saints. ⁴Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks. ⁵For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral ^aor impure ^bor greedy ^cperson, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom ^dof the Messiah and of God.

Light versus Darkness

⁶Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath ^eis coming on the disobedient because of these things. ^f7Therefore, do not become their partners. ⁸For you were once darkness, but now you are light ^gin the Lord. Walk as children of light ^h— ⁹for the fruit of the light ⁱresults in all goodness, righteousness, and truth ^j— ¹⁰discerning ^kwhat is pleasing ^lto the Lord. ¹¹Don’t participate in the fruitless ^mworks of darkness, but instead expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. ¹³Everything exposed by the light is made clear, ⁿ¹⁴for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:

Get up, sleeper, ^oand rise up from the dead, ^p

and the Messiah will shine on you. ^qr

Consistency in the Christian Life

¹⁵Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— ¹⁶making the most of the time, ^stbecause the days are evil. ¹⁷So don’t be foolish, but understand ^uwhat the Lord’s will ^vis. ¹⁸And don’t get drunk ^wwith wine, ^xwhich leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: ^y

¹⁹speaking to one another

in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,

singing and making music

from your heart to the Lord,

²⁰giving thanks always for everything

to God the Father

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,