Ephesians 5:1 - Easy To Read Version You are God’s children that he loves. So try to be like God. Tuilleadh leaganachaKing James Version (Oxford) 1769 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; Amplified Bible - Classic Edition THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. American Standard Version (1901) Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; Common English Bible Therefore, imitate God like dearly loved children. Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, as most beloved sons, be imitators of God. Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version Be ye therefore followers of God, as most dear children; |
\{God says,\}\par “You know that Ephraim {\cf2\super [255]} is my dear son.\par I love that child.\par Yes, I often criticized Ephraim,\par but I still think about him.\par I love him very much.\par And I really do want to comfort him.”\par This message is from the Lord.\par
“\{In the future,\} the number of the people of Israel will be like the sand of the sea. You can’t measure the sand or count it. Then it will happen that in the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ it will be said to them, ‘You are the children of the living God.’
I brought you people from Egypt. I did this so you could be my special people and I could be your God. I am holy, so you must be holy too!”
If you do this, then you will be true sons of your Father in heaven. Your Father lets the sun rise for the good people and the bad people. Your Father sends rain to people that do good and to people that do wrong.
So you must be perfect, the same as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Some people did accept him. They believed in him. He gave something to those people who believed. He gave them the right to become children of God.
Then you will be innocent and without anything wrong in you. You will be God’s children without fault. But you are living with evil people all around you who have become very bad. Among those people you shine like lights in the dark world.
God has chosen you and made you his holy people. {\cf2\super [18]} He loves you. So always do these things: Show mercy to people; be kind, humble, gentle, and patient.
That is how much God loved us, dear friends! So we also must love each other.