King James Version
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly,
not as fools, but as wise,
What does it mean to walk "circumspectly"?
As born again, I have an idea.
But I'd rather explore what other Bible versions say:
Ephesians 5:15
American Standard Version
15 Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise;
Ephesians 5:15
Amplified Bible
15 Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people],
Ephesians 5:15
Amplified Bible, Classic Edition
15 Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people),
Ephesians 5:15
Christian Standard Bible
Consistency in the Christian Life
15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—
Ephesians 5:15
Common English Bible
Be filled with the Spirit
15 So be careful to live your life wisely, not foolishly.
Ephesians 5:15
Complete Jewish Bible
15 Therefore, pay careful attention to how you conduct your life — live wisely, not unwisely.
Ephesians 5:15
Contemporary English Version
15 Act like people with good sense and not like fools.
Ephesians 5:15
Disciples’ Literal New Testament
So Walk Wisely, Redeeming The Time. Be Filled With The Spirit, And Subject To One Another
15 Therefore be watching carefully how you walk— not as unwise, but as wise,
Ephesians 5:15
Evangelical Heritage Version
15 Consider carefully, then, how you walk, not as unwise people, but as wise people.
Ephesians 5:15
International Children’s Bible
15 So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise. Live wisely.
Ephesians 5:15
J.B. Phillips New Testament
You know the truth—let your life show it!
15 Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do.
Ephesians 5:15
Lexham English Bible
15 Therefore, consider carefully how you live, not as unwise but as wise,
Ephesians 5:15
Living Bible
15 So be careful how you act; these are difficult days. Don’t be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.
Ephesians 5:15
The Message
So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!
Ephesians 5:15
Modern English Version
15 See then that you walk carefully, not as fools, but as wise men,
Ephesians 5:15
New Catholic Bible
15 Therefore, take care to live as intelligent people, and do not be like those who are senseless.
Ephesians 5:15
New International Version
15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,
Ephesians 5:15
New Testament for Everyone
15 So take special care how you conduct yourselves. Don’t be unwise, but be wise.
Kehillah in Ephesus 5:15
Orthodox Jewish Bible
15 Therefore, fier zich (comport oneself) in your derech with a careful walk, not as kesilim (fools) but as chachamim (wise ones),
Ephesians 5:15
Revised Geneva Translation
15 Be mindful, therefore, that you walk carefully - not as fools, but as wise -
Ephesians 5:15
Tree of Life Version
15 So pay close attention to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise.
Ephesians 5:15
The Voice
15 So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps. Don’t run around like idiots as the rest of the world does. Instead, walk as the wise!
Ephesians 5:15
Worldwide English (New Testament)
15 Take care how you live. Do not live like people who are not wise, but live like people who are wise.
Ephesians 5:15
Wycliffe Bible
15 Therefore, brethren, see ye, how warily ye shall go; not as unwise men, but as wise men,
Ephesians 5:15
Young's Literal Translation
15 See, then, how exactly ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise,
In SUMMARY, "ye walk circumspectly" means:
Look therefore carefully how ye walk
Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil]
Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately
Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk
So be careful to live your life
Therefore, pay careful attention to how you conduct your life
Act like people with good sense
Therefore be watching carefully how you walk
Consider carefully, then, how you walk
So be very careful how you live,
Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility
Therefore, consider carefully how you live
So be careful how you act
So watch your step
See then that you walk carefully
Therefore, take care to live as intelligent peopl
Be very careful, then, how you live
So take special care how you conduct yourselves
Therefore, fier zich (comport oneself) in your derech with a careful walk
Be mindful, therefore, that you walk carefully
So pay close attention to how you walk
So be careful how you live; be mindful of your steps.
Take care how you live.
Therefore, brethren, see ye, how warily ye shall go
See, then, how exactly ye walk
To complete this verse, we include HOW to walk "circumspectly":
Ephesians 5:15-21
King James Version
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly,
not as fools, but as wise,
16 Redeeming the time,
because the days are evil.
17 Wherefore be ye not unwise,
but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
18 And be not drunk with wine,
wherein is excess;
but be filled with the Spirit;
19 Speaking to yourselves
in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God
and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
21 Submitting yourselves one to another
in the fear of God.
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Image: Tom Fisk