Children and Parents

1Children, obeya your parents in the Lord, because this is right. 2Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, 3so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.a a b 4Fathers, don’t stir up angera in your children, but bring them up in the trainingb and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5Slaves, obey your humanA mastersa with fear and trembling,b in the sincerityc of your heart, as you would Christ. 6Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s willa from your heart. 7Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,a 8knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. 9And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threateninga them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritismb with him.c

Christian Warfare

10Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.a 11Put ona the full armorb of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesha and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,b against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,c spiritual forces in the heavens.d 13For this reason take up the full armora of God, so that you may be able to resistb in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14Stand,a therefore, with truthb like a belt around your waist, righteousnessc like armor on your chest,d 15and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. 16In every situation take up the shielda of faithb with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.c 17Take the helmeta of salvation and the swordb of the Spiritc — which is the word of God. 18Praya at all times in the Spiritb with every prayer and request, and stay alertc with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldnessa the mystery of the gospel. 20For this I am an ambassadora in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

21Tychicus,a our dearly loved brother and faithful servantA in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encouragea your hearts.b

23Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Fathera and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.a B