1Children, obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely, 3“that it may go well with you and that you will live a long time on the earth.”

4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart as to Christ, 6not like those who do their work only when someone is watching – as people-pleasers – but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart. 7Obey with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lord and not people, 8because you know that each person, whether slave or free, if he does something good, this will be rewarded by the Lord.

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

Exhortations for Spiritual Warfare

10Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power. 11Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. 13For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand. 14Stand firm therefore, by fastening the belt of truth around your waist, by putting on the breastplate of righteousness, 15by fitting your feet with the preparation that comes from the good news of peace, 16and in all of this, by taking 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. 18With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints. 19Pray for me also, that I may be given the message when I begin to speak – that I may confidently make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may be able to speak boldly as I ought to speak.

Farewell Comments

21Tychicus, my dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make everything known to you, so that you too may know about my circumstances, how I am doing. 22I have sent 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 of those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.