So be careful how you live.
Don’t live like fools,
but like those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.
And give thanks for everything to God the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Live a life filled with love,
following the example of Christ.
He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us,
a pleasing aroma to God
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you.
Such sins have no place among God’s people.
Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes–
these are not for you.
Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.”
Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,
for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
Together, we are his house,
built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets.
And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
We are carefully joined together in him,
becoming a holy temple for the Lord.
For we are God’s masterpiece.
He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
God saved you by his grace when you believed.
And you can’t take credit for this;
it is a gift from God.
Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done,
so none of us can boast about it.
Once you were dead because of your disobedience
and your many sins.
You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world,
obeying the devil—
the commander of the powers in the unseen world.
He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those
who refuse to obey God.
All of us used to live that way…
But God is so rich in mercy,
and he loved us so much,
that even though we were dead because of our sins,
he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead.
(It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)
I also pray that you will understand
the incredible greatness of God’s power
for us who believe in him.
This is the same mighty power
that raised Christ from the dead
and seated him in the place of honor
at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.
