BE ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; (2)and walk in
love as Christ also hath loved us, and given himself for us, an
oblation and sacrifice to God, for an odour of a sweet smell. (3)But
fornication and all impurity, or insatiable desire, let it not be
mentioned among you, as becometh saints; (4)or obscenity, or foolish
talk, or loose witticisms; things which become not _a Christian_, but
rather thanksgiving. (5)For this ye know, that no whoremonger, or
impure person, or avaricious, who is an idolater, hath an inheritance
in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (6)Let no man deceive you with
vain words: for because of these things, the wrath of God cometh on the
children of disobedience. (7)Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
(8)For ye were formerly darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord:
walk as children of light; (9)(for the fruit of the Spirit is in all
goodness and righteousness and truth;) (10)proving what is acceptable
to the Lord. (11)And have no society with the unfruitful works of
darkness, but rather rebuke them. (12)For it is scandalous but to
mention the things done of them in secret. (13)But all things which are
rebukeable are made manifest by the light; for it is the light, by
which every thing is made manifest. (14)Wherefore he saith, "Awake thou
that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee
light[117]."
(15)Take heed, then, that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as
wise, (16)redeeming the time, because the days are evil. (17)Therefore
be not unwise, but intelligent concerning what is the will of the Lord.
(18)And be not drunk with wine, in which there is sottishness, but be
filled with the Spirit; (19)speaking one to another in psalms and
hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing and making melody in the heart
to the Lord; (20)giving thanks always for all things in the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, to God even the Father; (21)being subject one to
another in the fear of God.
(22)Wives, be in subjection to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
(23)For the husband is the head of the wife, as also Christ is the head
of the church; and is himself the saviour of the body. (24)As then the
church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their own
husbands in every thing.
(25)Husbands, love your own wives, as Christ also loved the church, and
gave himself for it; (26)that he might sanctify it, purifying it in the
laver of water by the word, (27)that he might present it to himself a
glorious church, not having blemish, nor wrinkle, nor any such things;
but that it may be holy and unblameable. (28)So ought husbands to love
their own wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his own wife loveth
himself. (29)For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and
cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: (30)for we are the members
of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. (31)For this reason shall
a man forsake his father and mother, and shall cleave unto his wife,
and the two shall be as one flesh. (32)This mystery is great: but I am
speaking with regard to Christ, and with regard to the church.
(33)Nevertheless let every one of you individually see that each love
his own wife even as himself; but the wife that she stand in awe of the
husband.