Living the New Life

17 Therefore, I solemnly declare in the Lord that you should no longer walk as [fn]the rest of the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, being excluded from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19 They became callous and gave themselves up to lewd behavior, greedy to engage in every kind of impurity. 20 But you did not learn Christ in that way! 21 Surely you have heard about him and were taught in him, just as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former way of life and is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created according to the image of God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore, having laid aside falsehood, each of you must speak the truth with his neighbor, because we are members of one another. 26 Do not sin in your anger. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give any opportunity to the devil. 28 He who steals must no longer steal; rather he must labor, doing honest work with [fn]his hands, so that he may have something to contribute to anyone in need. 29 Let no foul word come out of your mouth, but only what is good for edification, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, outbursts, and slander, together with all malice. 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ has forgiven [fn]us.

5 Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved [fn]us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3 But fornication, impurity of any kind, and covetousness must not even be mentioned among you, because such things are improper for saints. 4 Nor should there be any obscenity, foolish talk, or coarse joking, which are not fitting, but there should be thanksgiving instead. 5 For you [fn]know that no one who is a fornicator, impure, or covetous (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.