Ephesians 5-6

New International Version

5 ¹Follow God’s example,^(A) therefore, as dearly loved children^(B) ²and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us^(C) and gave himself up for us^(D) as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.^(E)

³But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,^(F) or of any kind of impurity, or of greed,^(G) because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk^(H) or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.^(I) ⁵For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater^(J)—has any inheritance^(K) in the kingdom of Christ and of God.^[a]^(L) ⁶Let no one deceive you^(M) with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath^(N) comes on those who are disobedient.^(O) ⁷Therefore do not be partners with them.

⁸For you were once^(P) darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light^(Q) ⁹(for the fruit^(R) of the light consists in all goodness,^(S) righteousness and truth) ¹⁰and find out what pleases the Lord.^(T) ¹¹Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,^(U) but rather expose them. ¹²It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. ¹³But everything exposed by the light^(V) becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. ¹⁴This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper,^(W)
rise from the dead,^(X)
and Christ will shine on you.”^(Y)

¹⁵Be very careful, then, how you live^(Z)—not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶making the most of every opportunity,^(AA) because the days are evil.^(AB) ¹⁷Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.^(AC) ¹⁸Do not get drunk on wine,^(AD) which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit,^(AE) ¹⁹speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit.^(AF) Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, ²⁰always giving thanks^(AG) to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Instructions for Christian Households^(AH)

²¹Submit to one another^(AI) out of reverence for Christ.

²²Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands^(AJ) as you do to the Lord.^(AK) ²³For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,^(AL) his body, of which he is the Savior. ²⁴Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands^(AM) in everything.

²⁵Husbands, love your wives,^(AN) just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her^(AO) ²⁶to make her holy,^(AP) cleansing^[b] her by the washing^(AQ) with water through the word, ²⁷and to present her to himself^(AR) as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.^(AS) ²⁸In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives^(AT) as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. ²⁹After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— ³⁰for we are members of his body.^(AU) ³¹“For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”^[c]^(AV) ³²This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³However, each one of you also must love his wife^(AW) as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^(AX) ²“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[d]^(AY)

⁴Fathers,^[e] do not exasperate your children;^(AZ) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(BA)

⁵Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(BB) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(BC) just as you would obey Christ.^(BD) ⁶Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,^(BE) doing the will of God from your heart. ⁷Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^(BF) ⁸because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(BG) whether they are slave or free.

⁹And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours^(BH) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(BI) with him.

The Armor of God

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord^(BJ) and in his mighty power.^(BK) ¹¹Put on the full armor of God,^(BL) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(BM) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(BN) against the powers^(BO) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^(BP) ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(BQ) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(BR) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^(BS) ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^(BT) ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(BU) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^(BV) ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation^(BW) and the sword of the Spirit,^(BX) which is the word of God.^(BY)

¹⁸And pray in the Spirit^(BZ) on all occasions^(CA) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(CB) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(CC) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹Pray also for me,^(CD) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(CE) make known the mystery^(CF) of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador^(CG) in chains.^(CH) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹Tychicus,^(CI) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. ²²I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,^(CJ) and that he may encourage you.^(CK)

²³Peace^(CL) to the brothers and sisters,^[f] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.^[g]

Footnotes

Ephesians 5:5 Or kingdom of the Messiah and God
Ephesians 5:26 Or having cleansed
Ephesians 5:31 Gen. 2:24
Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Psalm 119:1-80

New International Version

Psalm 119^[a]

א Aleph

¹Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,^(A)
    who walk^(B) according to the law of the Lord.^(C)
²Blessed^(D) are those who keep his statutes^(E)
    and seek him^(F) with all their heart—^(G)
³they do no wrong^(H)
    but follow his ways.^(I)
⁴You have laid down precepts^(J)
    that are to be fully obeyed.^(K)
⁵Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!^(L)
⁶Then I would not be put to shame^(M)
    when I consider all your commands.^(N)
⁷I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.^(O)
⁸I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me.^(P)

ב Beth

⁹How can a young person stay on the path of purity?^(Q)
    By living according to your word.^(R)
¹⁰I seek you with all my heart;^(S)
    do not let me stray from your commands.^(T)
¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart^(U)
    that I might not sin^(V) against you.
¹²Praise be^(W) to you, Lord;
    teach me^(X) your decrees.^(Y)
¹³With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.^(Z)
¹⁴I rejoice in following your statutes^(AA)
    as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵I meditate on your precepts^(AB)
    and consider your ways.
¹⁶I delight^(AC) in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

¹⁷Be good to your servant^(AD) while I live,
    that I may obey your word.^(AE)
¹⁸Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
¹⁹I am a stranger on earth;^(AF)
    do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰My soul is consumed^(AG) with longing
    for your laws^(AH) at all times.
²¹You rebuke the arrogant,^(AI) who are accursed,^(AJ)
    those who stray^(AK) from your commands.
²²Remove from me their scorn^(AL) and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.^(AM)
²³Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

²⁵I am laid low in the dust;^(AN)
    preserve my life^(AO) according to your word.^(AP)
²⁶I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.^(AQ)
²⁷Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.^(AR)
²⁸My soul is weary with sorrow;^(AS)
    strengthen me^(AT) according to your word.^(AU)
²⁹Keep me from deceitful ways;^(AV)
    be gracious to me^(AW) and teach me your law.
³⁰I have chosen^(AX) the way of faithfulness;^(AY)
    I have set my heart^(AZ) on your laws.
³¹I hold fast^(BA) to your statutes, Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
³²I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

³³Teach me,^(BB) Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.^[b]
³⁴Give me understanding,^(BC) so that I may keep your law^(BD)
    and obey it with all my heart.^(BE)
³⁵Direct me^(BF) in the path of your commands,^(BG)
    for there I find delight.^(BH)
³⁶Turn my heart^(BI) toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.^(BJ)
³⁷Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life^(BK) according to your word.^[c]^(BL)
³⁸Fulfill your promise^(BM) to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
³⁹Take away the disgrace^(BN) I dread,
    for your laws are good.
⁴⁰How I long^(BO) for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.^(BP)

ו Waw

⁴¹May your unfailing love^(BQ) come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;^(BR)
⁴²then I can answer^(BS) anyone who taunts me,^(BT)
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³Never take your word of truth from my mouth,^(BU)
    for I have put my hope^(BV) in your laws.
⁴⁴I will always obey your law,^(BW)
    for ever and ever.
⁴⁵I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.^(BX)
⁴⁶I will speak of your statutes before kings^(BY)
    and will not be put to shame,^(BZ)
⁴⁷for I delight^(CA) in your commands
    because I love them.^(CB)
⁴⁸I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate^(CC) on your decrees.

ז Zayin

⁴⁹Remember your word^(CD) to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.^(CE)
⁵⁰My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.^(CF)
⁵¹The arrogant mock me^(CG) unmercifully,
    but I do not turn^(CH) from your law.
⁵²I remember,^(CI) Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
⁵³Indignation grips me^(CJ) because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.^(CK)
⁵⁴Your decrees are the theme of my song^(CL)
    wherever I lodge.
⁵⁵In the night, Lord, I remember^(CM) your name,
    that I may keep your law.^(CN)
⁵⁶This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.^(CO)

ח Heth

⁵⁷You are my portion,^(CP) Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.^(CQ)
⁵⁸I have sought^(CR) your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me^(CS) according to your promise.^(CT)
⁵⁹I have considered my ways^(CU)
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
⁶⁰I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.^(CV)
⁶¹Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget^(CW) your law.
⁶²At midnight^(CX) I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.^(CY)
⁶³I am a friend to all who fear you,^(CZ)
    to all who follow your precepts.^(DA)
⁶⁴The earth is filled with your love,^(DB) Lord;
    teach me your decrees.^(DC)

ט Teth

⁶⁵Do good^(DD) to your servant
    according to your word,^(DE) Lord.
⁶⁶Teach me knowledge^(DF) and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
⁶⁷Before I was afflicted^(DG) I went astray,^(DH)
    but now I obey your word.^(DI)
⁶⁸You are good,^(DJ) and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.^(DK)
⁶⁹Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,^(DL)
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
⁷⁰Their hearts are callous^(DM) and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
⁷¹It was good for me to be afflicted^(DN)
    so that I might learn your decrees.
⁷²The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.^(DO)

י Yodh

⁷³Your hands made me^(DP) and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴May those who fear you rejoice^(DQ) when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.^(DR)
⁷⁵I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,^(DS)
    and that in faithfulness^(DT) you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶May your unfailing love^(DU) be my comfort,
    according to your promise^(DV) to your servant.
⁷⁷Let your compassion^(DW) come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.^(DX)
⁷⁸May the arrogant^(DY) be put to shame for wronging me without cause;^(DZ)
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.^(EA)
⁸⁰May I wholeheartedly follow^(EB) your decrees,^(EC)
    that I may not be put to shame.^(ED)

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Footnotes

Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way

New International Version (NIV)

Ephesians 5-6

New International Version