Imitators Of God

1 Let it then be your desire to be like God, as well-loved children;

1 (A)Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children;

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

1 Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.

1 So be imitators of God, as his dear children.

2 And be living in love, even as Christ had love for you, and gave himself up for us, an offering to God for a perfume of a sweet smell.

2 and (B)walk in love, just as Christ also (C)loved (a)you and (D)gave Himself up for us, an (E)offering and a sacrifice to God (b)as a (F)fragrant aroma.

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.

2 And walk in love, as the Messiah also loved us and gave Himself for us,(A) a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God.

2 Live lovingly, just as the Messiah also loved us and gave himself for us as an offering and sacrifice, a fragrant aroma to God.

3 But evil acts of the flesh and all unclean things, or desire for others' property, let it not even be named among you, as is right for saints;

3 But (G)immorality (c)or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among (d)saints;

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

3 But sexual immorality(B) and any impurity(C) or greed(D) should not even be heard of(a) among you, as is proper for saints.

3 Do not let sexual sin, impurity of any kind, or greed even be mentioned among you, as is proper for saints.

4 And let there be no low behaviour, or foolish talk, or words said in sport, which are not right, but in place of them the giving of praise.

4 and there must be no (H)filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which (I)are not fitting, but rather (J)giving of thanks.

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

4 Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.

4 Obscene, flippant, or vulgar talk is totally inappropriate. Instead, let there be thanksgiving.

5 Being certain of this, that no man who gives way to the passions of the flesh, no unclean person, or one who has desire for the property of others, or who gives worship to images, has any heritage in the kingdom of Christ and God.

5 For this you know with certainty, that (K)no (e)immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom (L)of Christ and God.

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.

5 For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral(E) or impure(F) or greedy(G) person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom(H) of the Messiah and of God.

5 For you know very well that no immoral or impure person, or anyone who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God.

Light Versus Darkness

6 Do not be turned from the right way by foolish words; for because of these things the punishment of God comes on those who do not put themselves under him.

6 (M)Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things (N)the wrath of God comes upon (O)the sons of disobedience.

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

6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath(I) is coming on the disobedient because of these things.(b)

6 Do not let anyone deceive you with meaningless words, for it is because of these things that God becomes angry with those who disobey.

Walk Like Children Of Light

7 Have no part with such men;

7 Therefore do not be (P)partakers with them;

7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.

7 Therefore, do not become their partners.

7 So do not be partners with them.

8 For you at one time were dark, but now are light in the Lord: let your behaviour be that of children of light

8 for (Q)you were formerly (R)darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as (S)children of Light

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

8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light(J) in the Lord. Walk as children of light(K)

8 For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light,

9 (Because the fruit of the light is in all righteousness and in everything which is good and true),

9 (for (T)the fruit of the Light consists in all (U)goodness and righteousness and truth),

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

9 for the fruit of the light(c) results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth(L)

9 for the fruit that the light produces consists of every form of goodness, righteousness, and truth.

10 Testing by experience what is well-pleasing to the Lord;

10 (f)(V)trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.

10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

10 discerning(M) what is pleasing(N) to the Lord.

10 Determine what pleases the Lord,

11 And have no company with the works of the dark, which give no fruit, but make their true quality clear;

11 (W)Do not participate in the unfruitful (X)deeds of (Y)darkness, but instead even (g)(Z)expose them;

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

11 Don’t participate in the fruitless(O) works of darkness, but instead expose them.

11 and have nothing to do with the unfruitful actions that darkness produces. Instead, expose them for what they are.

12 For the things which are done by them in secret it is shame even to put into words.

12 for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.

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

12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret.

12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by these disobedient people in secret.

13 But all things, when their true quality is seen, are made clear by the light: because everything which is made clear is light.

13 But all things become visible (AA)when they are (h)exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.

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

13 Everything exposed by the light is made clear,(P)

13 But everything that is exposed to the light becomes visible,

14 For this reason he says, Be awake, you who are sleeping, and come up from among the dead, and Christ will be your light.

14 For this reason (i)it says,(AB)Awake, sleeper,And arise from (AC)the dead,And Christ (AD)will shine on you.”

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

14 for what makes everything clear is light. Therefore it is said:Get up, sleeper,(Q) and rise up from the dead,(R)and the Messiah will shine on you.(d)(S)

14 for the light is making everything visible. That is why it says, "Wake up, sleeper! Arise from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.''

Consistency In The Christian Life

15 Take care then how you are living, not as unwise, but as wise;

15 Therefore (j)be careful how you (AE)walk, not (AF)as unwise men but as wise,

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

15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—

15 So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise,

16 Making good use of the time, because the days are evil.

16 (k)(AG)making the most of your time, because (AH)the days are evil.

16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

16 making the most of the time,(e)(T) because the days are evil.

16 making the best use of your time because the times are evil.

Being Filled By The Spirit

17 For this reason, then, do not be foolish, but be conscious of the Lord's pleasure.

17 So then do not be foolish, but (AI)understand what the will of the Lord is.

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

17 So don’t be foolish, but understand(U) what the Lord’s will(V) is.

17 Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

18 And do not take overmuch wine by which one may be overcome, but be full of the Spirit;

18 And (AJ)do not get drunk with wine, (l)for that is (AK)dissipation, but be (AL)filled with the Spirit,

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

18 And don’t get drunk(W) with wine,(X) which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:(Y)

18 Stop getting drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit.

19 Joining with one another in holy songs of praise and of the Spirit, using your voice in songs and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

19 (AM)speaking to (m)one another in (AN)psalms and (AO)hymns and spiritual (AP)songs, (AQ)singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord;

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

19 speaking to one anotherin psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,singing and making musicfrom your heart to the Lord,

19 Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts;

20 Giving praise at all times for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God, even the Father;

20 (AR)always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to (n)(AS)God, even the Father;

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

20 giving thanks always for everythingto God the Fatherin the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

20 you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah;

Wives And Husbands

21 Letting yourselves be ruled by one another in the fear of Christ.

21 (o)(AT)and be subject to one another in the (p)(AU)fear of Christ.

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

21 submitting to one anotherin the fear of Christ.(Z)

21 and you will submit to one another out of reverence for the Messiah.

Paul's Advice To Wives And Husbands

22 Wives, be under the authority of your husbands, as of the Lord.

22 (AV)Wives, (AW)be subject to your own husbands, (AX)as to the Lord.

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

22 Wives,(AA) submit(f)(AB) to your own husbands(AC) as to the Lord,

22 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church, being himself the saviour of the body.

23 For (AY)the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the (AZ)head of the church, He Himself (BA)being the Savior of the body.

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.

23 for the husband is the head of the wife(AD) as Christ is the head(AE) of the church. He is the Savior of the body.(AF)

23 For the husband is the head of his wife as the Messiah is the head of the church. It is he who is the Savior of the body.

24 And as the church is under Christ's authority, so let wives be under the rule of their husbands in all things.

24 But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.

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

24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.

24 Indeed, just as the church is submissive to the Messiah, so wives must be submissive to their husbands in everything.

Husbands And Wives

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

25 (BB)Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and (BC)gave Himself up for her,

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

25 Husbands, love your wives,(AG) just as Christ loved(AH) the church and gave Himself(AI) for her

25 Husbands, love your wives as the Messiah loved the church and gave himself for it,

26 So that he might make it holy, having made it clean with the washing of water by the word,

26 (BD)so that He might sanctify her, having (BE)cleansed her by the (BF)washing of water with (BG)the word,

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

26 to make her holy, cleansing(g) her with the washing of water by the word.

26 so that he might make it holy by cleansing it, washing it with water and the word,

27 And might take it for himself, a church full of glory, not having one mark or fold or any such thing; but that it might be holy and complete.

27 that He might (BH)present to Himself the church (q)in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be (BI)holy and blameless.

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.

27 He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.(AJ)

27 and might present the church to himself in all its glory, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind, but holy and without fault.

28 Even so it is right for husbands to have love for their wives as for their bodies. He who has love for his wife has love for himself:

28 So husbands ought also to (BJ)love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself;

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

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

28 In the same way, husbands must love their wives as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself.

29 For no man ever had hate for his flesh; but he gives it food and takes care of it, even as Christ does for the church;

29 for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church,

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

29 For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church,

29 For no one has ever hated his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, as the Messiah does the church.

30 Because we are parts of his body.

30 because we are (BK)members of His (BL)body.

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

30 since we are members of His body.(h)

30 For we are parts of his body of his flesh and of his bones.

31 For this cause will a man go away from his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.

31 (BM)For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and shall be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.

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.

31 For this reason a man will leavehis father and motherand be joined to his wife,(AK)and the two will become one flesh.(AL)(i)

31 "That is why a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

32 This is a great secret: but my words are about Christ and the church.

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

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

32 This mystery(AM) is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church.

32 This is a great secret, but I am talking about the Messiah and the church.

33 But do you, everyone, have love for his wife, even as for himself; and let the wife see that she has respect for her husband.

33 Nevertheless, each individual among you also is to (BN)love his own wife even as himself, and the wife must see to it that she (r)(BO)respects her husband.

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.

33 To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

33 But each individual man among you must love his wife as he loves himself; and may the wife fear her husband.

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

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