1 ¶ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just and right.

2 H onour thy father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise),

Honor (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother—this is the first commandment with a promise—

3 t hat it may be well with thee, and thou may live long on the earth.

That all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.

4 A nd, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath, but bring them up in the discipline and admonition of the Lord.

Fathers, do not irritate and provoke your children to anger, but rear them in the training and discipline and the counsel and admonition of the Lord.

5 S laves, be obedient to those that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in simplicity of your heart as unto the Christ,

Servants (slaves), be obedient to those who are your physical masters, having respect for them and eager concern to please them, in singleness of motive and with all your heart, as to Christ —

6 n ot to be seen as only pleasing men, but as the slaves of the Christ, doing the will of God from within,

Not in the way of eye-service and only to please men, but as servants (slaves) of Christ, doing the will of God heartily and with your whole soul;

7 w ith good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,

Rendering service readily with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to men,

8 k nowing that whatever good thing anyone does, the same shall they receive of the Lord, whether they are slaves or free.

Knowing that for whatever good anyone does, he will receive his reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.

9 A nd, ye masters, do the same unto them, forbearing threats, knowing that their Master and yours is also in the heavens and that he is no respecter of persons.

You masters, act on the same toward them and give up threatening and using violent and abusive words, knowing that He Who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons (no partiality) with Him.

10 ¶ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord; draw your strength from Him.

11 P ut on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand firm against the wiles of the devil.

Put on God’s whole armor, that you may be able successfully to stand up against the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

12 F or we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the lords of this age, rulers of this darkness, against spiritual wickedness in the heavens.

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood, but against the despotisms, against the powers, against the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.

13 T herefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day and stand fast, all the work having been finished.

Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

14 S tand firm, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth and having on the breastplate, of righteousness,

Stand therefore, having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,

15 a nd your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace,

And having shod your feet in preparation '> firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.

16 a bove all, taking the shield of faith, with which ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Lift up over all the shield of saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked.

17 A nd take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

18 p raying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching in this with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

19 ¶ and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth with confidence, to make known the mystery of the gospel,

And also for me, that utterance may be given me, that I may open my mouth to proclaim boldly the mystery of the good news (the Gospel),

20 f or which I am an ambassador in chains, that in this I may speak boldly as I ought to speak.

For which I am an ambassador in a coupling chain that I may declare it boldly and courageously, as I ought to do.

21 B ut that ye also may know my affairs and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, shall make known to you all things,

Now that you may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will tell you everything.

22 w hom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs and that he might comfort your hearts.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may console and cheer and encourage and strengthen your hearts.

23 P eace be to the brethren and charity with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace be to the brethren, and love joined with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One).

24 G race be with all those that love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption. Amen.

Grace (God’s undeserved favor) be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying and incorruptible. Amen (so let it be).