Children and Parents

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER (which is the first commandment with a promise), 3SO THAT IT MAY BE WELL WITH YOU, AND THAT YOU MAY LIVE LONG IN THE LAND.

4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5Slaves, be obedient to those who are your [†]masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the [†]integrity of your heart, as to Christ; 6not [†]by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the [†]heart, 7serving with good will as to the Lord, and not to men, 8knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

9And masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

The Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the might of His strength. 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against [†]flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, 15and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE. 16[†]In addition to all, having taken up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one, 17also receive THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

18praying at all times [†]with all prayer and petition in the Spirit, and to this end, being on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19as well as on my behalf, that [†]words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel— 20for which I am an ambassador in [†]chains—so that [†]in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

21But that you also may know about all my affairs, [†]how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22[†]I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know [†]our circumstances, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ [†]with incorruptible love.