6
Children and Parents
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 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 admonition of the Lord.
Slaves and Masters
5 Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, in simplicity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your soul, 7 with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good thing anyone does, the same he shall receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
9 And 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
10 Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the stratagems of the devil. 12 For 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. 13 Because 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.
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench 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 through 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— 19 and 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, 20 for the sake of which I serve as an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I must speak.
Final Greetings
21 But 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; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our situation, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.