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 “so that it may go well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

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

5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as you would Christ, 6 not serving only when watched, as people pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God wholeheartedly, 7 serving with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to people, 8 knowing that whatever good each one does, he will receive it back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

9 And masters, do the same for them, giving up threats, knowing that both their Master and yours is in the heavens, and there is no partiality with him.

10 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the might of his strength. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 14 Stand, then, with your waist belted with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. 16 In every circumstance take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And receive the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, 19 and for me, so that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, so that I may speak boldly about it, as I ought to speak.

21 So that you too may know my situation and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you. 22 I sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know about us and he may encourage your hearts.

23 Peace to the brothers and sisters, 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 imperishable love.