Ephesians 5

1 Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children.

(Imitate/Behave like) God, because he loves you who are [as though you were] [SIM] his children.

2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.

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].

3 But sexual immorality, and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be mentioned among you, as becomes saints;

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.

4 nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks.

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].

5 Know this for sure, that no sexually immoral person, nor unclean person, nor covetous man (who is an idolater), has any inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and God.

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].

6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

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].

7 Therefore don’t be partakers with them.

So, do not commit the same kinds of deeds that such people do,

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

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.

9 for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth,

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.

10 proving what is well pleasing to the Lord.

And as [you do that], try (to find out/to discover) what pleases the Lord.

11 Have no fellowship with the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather even reprove them.

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.

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

It is shameful for God’s people to even talk [among themselves about] those evil deeds that evil people do secretly and habitually.

13 But all things, when they are reproved, are revealed by the light, for everything that reveals is light.

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]}.

14 Therefore he says, “Awake, you who sleep, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

[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.

15 Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise,

So be very careful how you behave. Do not behave as foolish people do. Instead, behave as wise people do.

16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Use your time carefully, because these days [MTY] [people do] extremely evil [deeds].

17 Therefore, don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

So do not be foolish. Instead, understand what the Lord [Jesus] wants you to do, [and do it]!

18 Don’t be drunken with wine, in which is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit,

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].

19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

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].

20 giving thanks always concerning all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;

At all times thank God, who is our [heavenly] Father, for everything, especially for what the Lord Jesus Christ [MTY] [has done for you].

21 subjecting yourselves to one another in the fear of Christ.

[Humbly] submit yourselves to each other because you reverence Christ, [who is our example].

22 Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord.

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].

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the assembly, being himself the savior of the body.

24 But as the assembly is subject to Christ, so let the wives also be to their own husbands in everything.

Just like all believers submit themselves to [the authority of] Christ, the women must submit themselves completely to the [authority of] their husbands.

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the assembly and gave himself up for her,

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,

26 that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word,

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].

27 that he might present the assembly to himself gloriously, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without defect.

[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).

28 Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.

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.

29 For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, even as the Lord also does the assembly,

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].

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

31 “For this cause a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife. Then the two will become one flesh.”

[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.

32 This mystery is great, but I speak concerning Christ and the assembly.

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.

33 Nevertheless each of you must also love his own wife even as himself; and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

However, as for you(pl), each man must love his wife just as he loves himself, and each woman must respect her husband.