1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),
3“so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”
4Fathers, do not make your children angry; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5Servants, obey your earthly masters with respect and trembling, and with a sincere heart, as you would obey Christ.
6Don't just obey when they are watching you, as if you only want to please people. Instead, as servants of Christ, do God's will from your heart.
7Serve willingly, as if you are serving the Lord and not just people.
8You know that the Lord will reward everyone for the good they do, whether they are slave or free.
9Masters, treat your servants the same way. Stop threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and He treats everyone equally.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
11Put on all of God’s armor so you can stand firm against the devil’s schemes.
12Because we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against rulers, authorities, cosmic powers over this present darkness, and evil spiritual forces in the heavenly places.
13Therefore, put on all of God's armor so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to resist, and after you have done everything, you will still stand.
14So stand firm, with the belt of truth around your waist, and the chest plate of righteousness in place.
15And with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the Good News of peace.
16Above all, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.
18Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.
19Pray also for me, that when I speak, God will give me the right words to boldly make known the mystery of the Good News,
20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak about it courageously, as I should.
21So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, our dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything.
22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.
23Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an unfailing love. Amen.