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Be imitators of God, therefore, as deeply loved children
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and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality,
or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper
for God's holy people.
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Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking,
which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
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For of this you can be sure:
No immoral, impure or greedy person - such a man is an idolater -
has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
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Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things
God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
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Therefore do not be partners with them.
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For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light
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(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
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and find out what pleases the Lord.
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Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
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For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
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But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
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for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."
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Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise,
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making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
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Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.
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Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled
with the Spirit.
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Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.
Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
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always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
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Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
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For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church,
his body, of which he is the Savior.
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Now as the church submits to Christ,
so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
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Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church
and gave himself up for her
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to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
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and to present her to himself as a radiant church,
without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
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In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies.
He who loves his wife loves himself.
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After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it,
just as Christ does the church -
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for we are members of his body.
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"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,
and the two will become one flesh."
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This is a profound mystery - but I am talking about Christ and the church.
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However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself,
and the wife must respect her husband.
