¶ Be ye followers of God as dear children, and walk in love even as Christ loved us, and gave himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice of a sweet savour to God. So that fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, be not once, named among you, as it becometh saints: neither filthiness, neither foolish talking, neither jestings, which are not comely: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, either unclean person, or covetous person (which is the worshipper of images) hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God.
¶ Let no man deceive you with vain words. For thorow such things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of unbelief. Be not therefore companions with them. Ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord.
¶ Walk as children of light. For the fruit of the spirit is, in all goodness, righteousness, and truth. Accept that which is pleasing to the Lord: and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness: but rather rebuke them. For it is shame even to name those things which are done of them in secret: but all things, when they are rebuked of the light, are manifest. For whatsoever is manifest, that same is light. Wherefore he saith: awake thou that sleepest, and stand up from death, and Christ shall give thee light.
¶ Take heed therefore that ye walk circumspectly: not as fools: but as wise, redeeming the time: for the days are evil: wherefore, be ye not unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is, and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess: but be fulfilled with the spirit, speaking unto yourselves in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and playing to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks allways for all things in the name of our Lord Iesu Christ to God the father: submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.
¶ Women submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the wife's head, even as Christ is the head of the congregation, and the same is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the congregation is in subjection to Christ, likewise let the wives be in subjection to their husbands in all things. Husbands love your wives, even as Christ loved the congregation, and gave himself for it, to sanctify it, and cleansed it in the fountain of water thorow the word, to make it unto himself, a glorious congregation without spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing: but that it should be holy and without blame.
¶ So ought men to love their wives, as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no man ever yet, hated his own flesh: But nourisheth, and cherisheth it: even as the Lord doth the congregation: for we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall continue with his wife, and two shall be made one flesh. This is a great secret, but I speak between Christ and the congregation. Nevertheless do ye so that every one of you love his wife truly even as himself: And let the wife see that she fear her husband.
© Faith of God
William Tyndale 1526