| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. | 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. |
| 2“Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise), | 2"Honor your father and mother"--which is the first commandment with a promise-- |
| 3“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.” | 3"so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." |
| 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath; instead, bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. | 4Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. |
| 5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. | 5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. |
| 6And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. | 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. |
| 7Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, | 7Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, |
| 8because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. | 8because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. |
| 9And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. | 9And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him. |
| 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. | 10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. |
| 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. | 11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. |
| 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. | 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. |
| 13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand. | 13Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. |
| 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed, | 14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, |
| 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace. | 15and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. |
| 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. | 16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. |
| 17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. | 17Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. |
| 18Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. | 18And pray 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 Lord's people. |
| 19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel, | 19Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, |
| 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should. | 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. |
| 21Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing. | 21Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. |
| 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts. | 22I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage you. |
| 23Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | 23Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. | 24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. |
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