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Ephesians

Living as a New Creation: Ethical Exhortations

Ephesians 4:17-5:21
17This therefore I say and testify in the Lord: you must no longer walk just as the Gentiles also walk in the futility of their mind, 18being darkened in the mind, being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardening of their heart, 19who, having become callous, have delivered themselves to debauchery for the work of all impurity in greediness, 20But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21if indeed you heard him and were taught in him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22to put off, with regard to your former way of life, the old self that is being corrupted according to the desires of deceit, 23and to be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24and to put on the new self, created according to God in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 25Therefore, having put off falsehood, let each one speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. 26Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun set upon your anger, 27and do not give any opportunity to the devil. 28Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone who has need. 29Let no rotten word come out of your mouth, but only what is good for building up the need, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32Be good to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another, as also God in Christ forgave you,
Chapter 5
1Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7Therefore do not become partners with them; 8for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9(for the fruit of light is found in all goodness and righteousness and truth), 10and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 13But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, 16making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 17Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18And do not get drunk with wine, in which is debauchery, but be filled in the spirit, 19addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 20giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
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