Children and Parents

1Children, 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 you may live long on the earth.”

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

Slaves and Masters

5Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in simplicity of heart, as to Christ;

6not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your soul,

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

8knowing that whatever good thing anyone does, the same he shall receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

9And masters, do the same things towards them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.

The Whole Armor of God

10Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

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

12For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual forces of evil in the heavenlies.

13Because of this, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having accomplished all things, to stand.

14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

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

16above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench 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;

18through every prayer and petition, praying in every season in the Spirit, being watchful to this same thing with all perseverance and petition concerning all the saints—

19and for me, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,

20for the sake of which I serve as an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I must speak.

Final Greetings

21But that you also may know my circumstances, and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make all things known to you;

22whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our situation, and that he may comfort your hearts.

23Peace 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 in sincerity. Amen.