Ephesians 5
1 (Imitate/Behave like) God, because he loves you who are [as though you were] [SIM] his children.
Become, then, followers of God, as children beloved,
2 Do everything in a way that shows that you love [people], just like Christ loved us and willingly died for us. He offered himself [to God as a sacrifice] that was very pleasing to God, [just like Jewish priests offered] sweet-smelling [animal] sacrifices to God [MET].
and walk in love, as also the Christ did love us, and did give himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odour of a sweet smell,
3 Do not commit any kind of immoral act [DOU], and do not desire more things than you need. Do not [act in such a way that others could] even (spread rumors/talk) about your acting in such ways, because it is not appropriate/fitting for God’s people to do such things.
and whoredom, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as becometh saints;
4 Do not use obscene/shameful language when you talk to people. Do not talk foolishly. Do not use vulgar/indecent language, because it is not appropriate/fitting that God’s people should talk like that. Instead, tell people how much you thank [God for all he does for you].
also filthiness, and foolish talking, or jesting, — the things not fit — but rather thanksgiving;
5 You can be sure of this: No person who is sexually immoral or who acts indecently/shamefully will be among those people whom God rules over [MET] [in heaven]. Neither will those who desire more things than they need. Such people worship their possessions [instead of worshipping God].
for this ye know, that every whoremonger, or unclean, or covetous person, who is an idolater, hath no inheritance in the reign of the Christ and God.
6 Do not let anyone deceive you by suggesting that [God will really] not [punish people who commit such sins], because God certainly will punish [MTY] those who habitually disobey him [by doing such things].
Let no one deceive you with vain words, for because of these things cometh the anger of God upon the sons of the disobedience,
7 So, do not commit the same kinds of deeds that such people do,
become not, then, partakers with them,
8 because formerly you [did not know God’s truth] [MET], [as those who] are in darkness [do not know what is around them]. But now [it is as though] you are in the light [MET] [because you know God’s truth] because of your relationship with the Lord [Jesus]. So do those things that those who know God’s truth [MET] should do.
for ye were once darkness, and now light in the Lord; as children of light walk ye,
9 Keep in mind that [as] light [MET] causes [good things to grow], those who know God’s truth should do those things that are good, righteous, and honest.
for the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth,
10 And as [you do that], try (to find out/to discover) what pleases the Lord.
proving what is well-pleasing to the Lord,
11 Do not do the worthless deeds that the people (who are in [spiritual] darkness/who do not know God’s truth) [MET] do. Instead, let others know that those people’s deeds are worthless.
and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of the darkness and rather even convict,
12 It is shameful for God’s people to even talk [among themselves about] those evil deeds that evil people do secretly and habitually.
for the things in secret done by them it is a shame even to speak of,
13 But when [God’s people rebuke those evil people about their deeds, it will be clear/evident how evil their deeds really are, just like] everything exposed to the light becomes visible {as light [MET] reveals everything [that we cannot see in the darkness]}.
and all the things reproved by the light are manifested, for everything that is manifested is light;
14 [Just like something on which a light shines reflects that light] [MET], [whoever has learned God’s truth reveals that truth to others]. That is why [we believers] say this: You who are not aware of your sins, become aware of them [MET]! It is as though you are sound asleep, so wake up! Be like dead people who are becoming alive again! Christ will cause you to know God’s truth, just like a light [MET] that shines causes people to know what is in the darkness.
wherefore he saith, 'Arouse thyself, thou who art sleeping, and arise out of the dead, and the Christ shall shine upon thee.'
15 So be very careful how you behave. Do not behave as foolish people do. Instead, behave as wise people do.
See, then, how exactly ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise,
16 Use your time carefully, because these days [MTY] [people do] extremely evil [deeds].
redeeming the time, because the days are evil;
17 So do not be foolish. Instead, understand what the Lord [Jesus] wants you to do, [and do it]!
because of this become not fools, but — understanding what [is] the will of the Lord,
18 Do not become drunk by drinking alcoholic drinks, since people are unable to control their behavior when they are drunk. Instead, let [God’s] Spirit control your [behavior] at all times [MTY].
and be not drunk with wine, in which is dissoluteness, but be filled in the Spirit,
19 Sing to each other (Psalms/songs [with words from the] Scriptures), sing [other] songs [that the congregation knows], and songs [that God’s] Spirit [gives you]. Sing these Psalms and other songs sincerely to [praise] the Lord [Jesus].
speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord,
20 At all times thank God, who is our [heavenly] Father, for everything, especially for what the Lord Jesus Christ [MTY] [has done for you].
giving thanks always for all things, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the God and Father;
21 [Humbly] submit yourselves to each other because you reverence Christ, [who is our example].
subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.
22 Because husbands have authority over [MET] their wives, just as all of us believers form one group [under the authority of] Christ, you women should submit yourselves to [the authority of your] husbands just as you submit yourselves to the Lord [Jesus]. He is the one who saves all his people [from the guilt of their sins].
The wives! to your own husbands subject yourselves, as to the Lord,
because the husband is head of the wife, as also the Christ [is] head of the assembly, and he is saviour of the body,
24 Just like all believers submit themselves to [the authority of] Christ, the women must submit themselves completely to the [authority of] their husbands.
but even as the assembly is subject to Christ, so also [are] the wives to their own husbands in everything.
25 Each of you husbands, love your wife as Christ loved all of [us who would become] believers, with the result that he willingly died for our sake,
The husbands! love your own wives, as also the Christ did love the assembly, and did give himself for it,
26 in order that he might (set us apart for himself/cause us to belong to him). That is, by [revealing his] message [to us], he wanted to [remove the guilt of our sin, just like people remove dirt from something] by washing it [MET].
that he might sanctify it, having cleansed [it] with the bathing of the water in the saying,
27 [Christ did that] in order that he might cause all of us believers to be a glorious group of people that belong to him, people that do not have any moral flaws/imperfections, but instead might be completely pure [DOU] when he gathers us (to his presence/to himself).
that he might present it to himself the assembly in glory, not having spot or wrinkle, or any of such things, but that it may be holy and unblemished;
28 In the same way, each man should love his wife as he loves his own body. Men who love their wives, [it is as though] they love themselves.
so ought the husbands to love their own wives as their own bodies: he who is loving his own wife — himself he doth love;
29 This is shown by the fact that no one ever hated his own body. Instead, he feeds his own body and cares for it, just like Christ also cares for all us believers. We have become one group of believers that belongs to him [MET].
for no one ever his own flesh did hate, but doth nourish and cherish it, as also the Lord — the assembly,
because members we are of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones;
31 [What someone has written in the Scriptures about people who marry is this], [When] a man and [a] woman [marry], they should ([permanently] leave/no longer live with) their fathers and mothers. They should be joined [as husband and] wife, and the two of them shall become [as though they were] one [MET] person.
'for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined to his wife, and they shall be — the two — for one flesh;'
32 It is very difficult to understand the meaning of these things that God has now revealed to me, but [I am telling you that] those words [also] refer to [the relationship between] Christ and all those who belong to him.
this secret is great, and I speak in regard to Christ and to the assembly;
33 However, as for you(pl), each man must love his wife just as he loves himself, and each woman must respect her husband.
but ye also, every one in particular — let each his own wife so love as himself, and the wife — that she may reverence the husband.
