| New King James Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. | 1Children, obey your parents as you would the Lord, because this is right. |
| 2“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: | 2Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, |
| 3“that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.” | 3so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. |
| 4And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. | 4Fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. |
| 5Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; | 5Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ. |
| 6not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, | 6Don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God's will from your heart. |
| 7with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, | 7Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, |
| 8knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. | 8knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. |
| 9And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. | 9And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him. |
| 10Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. | 10Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. |
| 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. | 11Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. |
| 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. | 12For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. |
| 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. | 13This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. |
| 14Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, | 14Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest, |
| 15and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; | 15and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. |
| 16above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. | 16In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to 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 God's word. |
| 18praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— | 18Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. |
| 19and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, | 19Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. |
| 20for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. | 20For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should. |
| 21But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; | 21Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. |
| 22whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts. | 22I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts. |
| 23Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | 23Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. | 24Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. |
|
