Ephesians 5:1–20

Imitators of God

5Therefore become imitators of God, as beloved children, ²and live in love, just as also Christ loved us, and gave himself for us an offering and sacrifice to God for a fragrant smell.^{a 3}But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness, or greediness, must not even be named among you (as is fitting for saints), ⁴and obscenity, and foolish talk, or coarse jesting (which are not proper), but rather thanksgiving. ⁵For this you know for certain^b, that every sexually immoral person, or unclean person, or greedy person (who is an idolater), does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. ⁶Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.

Walk Like Children of Light

⁷Therefore do not be sharers^c with them, ⁸for you were formerly darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live like children of light ⁹(for the fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth), ¹⁰trying to learn what is well-pleasing to the Lord. ¹¹And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even expose them. ¹²For it is shameful even to speak about the things being done by them in secret, ¹³but all things exposed by the light are made visible, ¹⁴for everything made visible is light. Therefore it says,

Wake up, sleeper,

and rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you.^d

¹⁵Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of the time because the days are evil.

Being Filled by the Spirit

¹⁷Because of this do not become foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸And do not be drunk with wine (in which is dissipation), but be filled by the Spirit, ¹⁹speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and singing praise in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰giving thanks always for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the God and Father,