1Children, obey your parents because you are Christians. This is the right thing to do. 2"Honor your father and mother 3that everything may go well for you, and you may have a long life on earth." This is an important commandment with a promise.

4Fathers, don't make your children bitter about life. Instead, bring them up in Christian discipline and instruction.

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with proper respect. Be as sincere as you are when you obey Christ. 6Don't obey them only while you're being watched, as if you merely wanted to please people. But obey like slaves who belong to Christ, who have a deep desire to do what God wants them to do. 7Serve eagerly as if you were serving your heavenly master and not merely serving human masters. 8You know that your heavenly master will reward all of us for whatever good we do, whether we're slaves or free people.

9Masters, treat your slaves with respect. Don't threaten a slave. You know that there is one master in heaven who has authority over both of you, and he doesn't play favorites.

10Finally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. 11Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil's strategies. 12This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. 13For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. Once you have overcome all obstacles, you will be able to stand your ground. 14So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God's approval as your breastplate. 15Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. 16In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17Also take salvation as your helmet and the word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies.

18Pray in the Spirit?your[ spirit."> in every situation. Use every kind of prayer and request there is. For the same reason be alert. Use every kind of effort and make every kind of request for all of God's people.] 19Also pray that God will give me the right words to say. Then I will speak boldly when I reveal the mystery of the Good News. 20Because I have already been doing this as Christ's representative, I am in prison. So pray that I speak about this Good News as boldly as I have to.

21I'm sending Tychicus to you. He is our dear brother and a faithful deacon in the Lord's work. He will tell you everything that is happening to me so that you will know how I'm getting along. 22That's why I'm sending him to you so that you may know how we're doing and that he may encourage you.

23May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give our brothers and sisters peace and love along with faith. 24His favor is with everyone who has an undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.