| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. | 1Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right. |
| 2“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), | 2Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, |
| 3“that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” | 3so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. |
| 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. | 4Fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. |
| 5Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, | 5Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ. |
| 6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, | 6Don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God's will from your heart. |
| 7rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, | 7Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, |
| 8knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. | 8knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. |
| 9Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him. | 9And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. |
| 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. | 10Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. |
| 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. | 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. |
| 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. | 12For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. |
| 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. | 13This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. |
| 14Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, | 14Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, |
| 15and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. | 15and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. |
| 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; | 16In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. |
| 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, | 17Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word. |
| 18praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, | 18Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. |
| 19and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, | 19Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. |
| 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. | 20For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should. |
| 21So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. | 21Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. |
| 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. | 22I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts. |
| 23Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | 23Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible. | 24Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. |
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