Ephesians

Explores the Christian's identity in Christ, unity in the church, and how to live out this calling.

Chapter 5

1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

*Walk in love like how Christ loved us. He gave himself as a gift and sacrifice to God, creating a pleasant smell.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

*But don't mention sexual sin or greed, or anything unclean, among you who are holy;

4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

*Avoid dirty behavior, silly talk, and joking that aren't good; instead, be thankful.

5 For 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.

*You understand that people who are involved in immorality, impurity, greed, and worship false gods don't have a place in Christ's and God's kingdom.

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

*Don't let anyone trick you with empty talk. God's anger comes upon those who don't listen and follow rules.

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

*Do not join them in their actions.

8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

*At times, you were like darkness, but now, in the Lord, you are like light. Act like children who follow the light.

9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)

*The Spirit's fruit brings goodness, fairness, and honesty.

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

*Showing what pleases God.

11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.

*Avoid things that don't produce good results and are hidden in shadows, instead, point out their mistakes.

12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.

*It's embarrassing to talk about the private things they do.

13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.

*But anything bad becomes clear in the light, because whatever shows things clearly is light.

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

*So he says, "Wake up, the one who is sleeping, and get up from being dead. Then Christ will give you light."

15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

*So be careful in how you live, act smart, not like a foolish person.

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

*Saving time since the days are not good.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

*So don't act foolishly, but understand God's plan instead.

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

*Don't get too drunk on alcohol, which leads to too much. Instead, let the Spirit fill you up.

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

*Talk to yourselves using songs and spiritual tunes, sing from your heart to God.

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

*Always thank God and Father for everything, in the name of Jesus.

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

*Obey each other, showing respect for God's watchful eye.

22 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.

*Wives, obey your husbands, just like you would obey God.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

*The husband leads the wife, just like Christ leads the church, and he saves the family.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

*So since the church obeys Christ, wives should also obey their husbands in everything.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

*Husbands, love your wives very much, just like how Jesus loved the church and sacrificed himself for it.

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

*So that he could purify and cleanse it using water washing, through the word.

27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

*So he could show it to himself as a beautiful church, with no flaws or imperfections; it would be holy and flawless.

28 So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

*Men should love their wives like they love themselves. When a man loves his wife, he is actually loving himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

*No person has ever hated their own body, but instead takes care of and loves it. Just like how the Lord cares for the church.

30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

*We are part of his body, made of his flesh and his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

*So that this happens, a person will go away from their parents and join with their spouse, becoming one in body.

32 This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

*This is a big secret, but I'm talking about Christ and his special group of people (the church).

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

*So, everyone should especially love their spouse like themselves, and wives should respect their husbands.

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