Children and Parents
1 Children, obey x your parents in the Lord, because this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, 3 so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. N,O,y 4 Fathers, don’t stir up anger z in your children, but bring them up in the training a and instruction of the Lord.
Slaves and Masters
5 Slaves, obey your human P masters b with fear and trembling, c in the sincerity d of your heart, as you would Christ. 6 Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will e from your heart. 7 Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people, f 8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. 9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening g them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism h with him. i
Christian Warfare
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength. j 11 Put on k the full armor l of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh m and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, n against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil, o spiritual forces in the heavens. p 13 For this reason take up the full armor q of God, so that you may be able to resist r in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, s therefore, with truth t like a belt around your waist, righteousness u like armor on your chest, v 15 and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16 In every situation take up the shield w of faith x with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. y 17 Take the helmet z of salvation and the sword a of the Spirit b—which is the word of God. 18 Pray c at all times in the Spirit d with every prayer and request, and stay alert e with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness f the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador g in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.
Paul’s Farewell
21 Tychicus, h our dearly loved brother and faithful servant Q in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22 I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage i your hearts. j
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father k and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. R,S