Be Imitators of God

1 aTherefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

2 and awalk in love, just as Christ also bloved 1you and cgave Himself up for us, an doffering and a sacrifice to God 2as a efragrant aroma.

3 But aimmorality 1or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among 2saints;

4 and there must be no afilthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which bare not fitting, but rather cgiving of thanks.

5 For this you know with certainty, that ano 1immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom bof Christ and God.

6 aLet no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things bthe wrath of God comes upon cthe sons of disobedience.

7 Therefore do not be apartakers with them;

8 for ayou were formerly bdarkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as cchildren of Light

9 (for athe fruit of the Light consists in all bgoodness and righteousness and truth),

10 1atrying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

11 aDo not participate in the unfruitful bdeeds of cdarkness, but instead even 1dexpose them;

12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

13 But all things become visible awhen they are 1exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

14 For this reason 1it says,

“aAwake, sleeper,

And arise from bthe dead,

And Christ cwill shine on you.”