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Ephesians 5

Live in Love 1

Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children

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and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

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But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints.

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Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving.

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For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

Live in the Light 6

Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience.

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Therefore do not be partakers with them,

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for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light –

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for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth –

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trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

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Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

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For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention.

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But all things being exposed by the light are made evident.

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For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:

“Awake, O sleeper!

Rise from the dead,

and Christ will shine on you!”

Live Wisely 15

Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise,

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taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

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For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is.

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And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit,

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speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord,

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always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

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and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Exhortations to Households 22

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord,

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because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body.

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But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

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Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her

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to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word,

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so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.

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In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

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For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church,

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for we are members of his body.

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For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

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This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church.

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Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

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