Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

1 Children, 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 "that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land."4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5 Slaves,t obey your earthly masterst with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ,6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servantst of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man,8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Mastert and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;17 and take 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 all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

21 So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything.22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23 Peace be to the brothers,t 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 love incorruptible.

Ephesians 6

1 Children,t obey your parents in the Lords for this is right.2 “Honor your father and mother,”s which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely,

3 “that it may gotwell with you and that you will liveta long time on the earth.”s

4 Fathers,t do not provoke your children to anger,t but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves,t obey your human masterst with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart as to Christ,6 not like those who do their work only when someone is watchingt – as people-pleasers – but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.t7 Obeyt with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lordt and not people,

8 because you know that each person, whether slave or free, if he does something good, thiss will be rewarded by the Lord.

9 Masters,t treat your slavest the same way,t giving up the use of threats,t because you know that both you and they have the same master in heaven,t and there is no favoritism with him.

Exhortations for Spiritual Warfare

10 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power.11 Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemest of the devil.12 For our strugglet is not against flesh and blood,t but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness,ts against the spiritual forcest of evil in the heavens.s13 For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your groundt on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm therefore, by fastenings the belt of truth around your waist,t by putting on the breastplate of righteousness,15 by fitting yourt feet with the preparation that comes from the good newst of peace,t16 and in all of this,t by taking up the shields of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 And take the helmet of salvations and the swords of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 With every prayer and petition, prayt at all times in the Spirit, and to this endt be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.19 Prayt for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speakt – that I may confidently make knownt the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.

Farewell Comments

21 Tychicus, myt dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you, so that you too may know about my circumstances,t how I am doing.

22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstancest and that he may encourage your hearts.
23 Peace to the brothers and sisters,t and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace bet with all of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.st