1So be imitators of God, as his dear children. 2Live lovingly, just as the Messiaha also loved usb and gave himself for us as an offering and sacrifice, a fragrant aroma to God. 3Do not let sexual sin, impurity of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints. 4Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiahc and of God.

Living in the Light

6Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey.d 7So do not be partners with them. 8For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, 9for the fruit that the lighte produces consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth. 10Determine what pleases the Lord, 11and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are. 12For it is shameful even to mention what is done by these disobedient peoplef in secret. 13But everything that is exposed to the light becomes visible, 14for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says,

“Wake up, sleeper!

Arise from the dead,

and the Messiahg will shine on you.’’h

Wise Behavior

15So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, 16making the best use of your timei because the times are evil. 17Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18Stop gettingj drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit. 19Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts; 20you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah;k 21and you will submit to one another out of reverence forl the Messiah.m

Wives and Husbands

22Wives, submit yourselvesn to your husbands as to the Lord. 23For the husband is the head of his wife as the Messiaho is the head of the church. It is he who is the Savior of the body. 24Indeed, just as the church is submissive to the Messiah,p so wives must be submissiveq to their husbands in everything.

25Husbands, love your wives as the Messiahr loved the church and gave himself for it, 26so that he might make it holy by cleansing it, washing it with water and the word, 27and might present the church to himself in all its glory, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, but holy and without fault. 28In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they loves their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. 29For no one has ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, as the Messiaht doesu the church.

30For we are parts of his body—of his flesh and of his bones.v 31“That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”w 32This is a great secret, but I am talking about the Messiahx and the church. 33But each individual man among you must love his wife as he lovesy himself; and may the wife fear her husband.