Ephesians 5:1–20

You are the children that God dearly loves. So be just like him. ²Lead a life of love, just as Christ did. He loved us. He gave himself up for us. He was a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.

³There should not be even a hint of sexual sin among you. Don’t do anything unclean. And do not always want more and more. Things like that are not what God’s holy people should do.

⁴There must not be any unclean speech or foolish talk or dirty jokes. All of them are out of place. Instead, you should give thanks.

⁵Here is what you can be sure of. Those who give themselves over to sexual sins are lost. So are people whose lives are not pure. The same is true of those who always want more and more. People who do those things might as well worship statues of gods. No one who does them will receive a share in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

⁶Don’t let anyone fool you with words that don’t mean anything. Because of things like that, God is angry with those who don’t obey. ⁷So don’t go along with people like that.

⁸At one time you were in the dark. But now you are in the light because of what the Lord has done. Live like children of the light. ⁹The light produces what is completely good, right and true. ¹⁰Find out what pleases the Lord.

¹¹Have nothing to do with the acts of darkness. They don’t produce anything good. Show what they are really like. ¹²It is shameful even to talk about what people who don’t obey do in secret.

¹³But everything the light shines on can be seen. ¹⁴Light makes everything clear. That is why it is said,

“Wake up, sleeper.

Rise from the dead.

Then Christ will shine on you.”

¹⁵So be very careful how you live. Do not live like people who aren’t wise. Live like people who are wise. ¹⁶Make the most of every opportunity. The days are evil. ¹⁷So don’t be foolish. Instead, understand what the Lord wants.

¹⁸Don’t fill yourself up with wine. Getting drunk will lead to wild living. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

¹⁹Speak to each other with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. ²⁰Always give thanks to God the Father for everything. Give thanks to him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.