1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

2 »Honor your father and mother« (which is the first commandment with a promise),

3 »that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.«

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

5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

6 not in the way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.

7 Render service with good will, as to the Lord, and not to men,

8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

9 Masters, do the same to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.

12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

14 Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

16 in addition to all this, taking up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Pray at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and petition. And with this in view, keep alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

19 and also pray for me, that in the opening of my mouth, utterance may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

21 Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing.

22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.