Imitators of God

1Be ye therefore imitators of God as his dear children; and walk in love, 2even as Christ hath loved us, and given Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of sweet perfume.

3But fornication, and all uncleanness, or inordinate desire, let it not be even named among you; for so it becometh saints: 4nor ribaldry, nor buffoonery, nor wanton jesting, which are not meet: but rather giving of thanks. 5For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, (who is an idolater,) hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

6Let no one deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7Therefore be not partners with them.

Children of Light

8For ye were heretofore darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: 9walk therefore as children of light, (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,) 10approving what is well-pleasing to the Lord. 11And have no communion with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12For it is a shame even to relate the things that are done by them in secret. 13But all things to be reproved: are made manifest by the light: for whatever doth make manifest, is light.

14Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

15See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise men: 16redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17Wherefore be not thoughtless, but consider what is the will of the Lord. 18And be not drunk with wine, in which there is riotous excess; but be filled with the Spirit: 19speaking to yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord: 20always giving thanks for all to God even the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Wives and Husbands
(1 Peter 3:1–7)

21submitting yourselves to each other in the fear of God.

22Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord: 23for the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and the saviour of that body. 24As the church then is subject to Christ, so also should wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

25Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave up Himself for it: 26to sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27that He might prepare it for Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and unblameable. 28Men ought so to love their wives, as their own bodies: he that loveth his wife, loveth himself. 29For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord also doth the church: 30for we are members of his body, as if taken out of his flesh, and of his bones, as Eve was out of Adam's. 31For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32This mystery is great: but I speak concerning Christ and the Church. 33Nevertheless, let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and let the wife reverence her husband.