1 C hildren, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

Children, as Christians, obey your parents. This is the right thing to do.

2 “ Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise:

Respect your father and mother. This is the first Law given that had a promise.

3 “ that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

The promise is this: If you respect your father and mother, you will live a long time and your life will be full of many good things.

4 A nd you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Bondservants and Masters

Fathers, do not be too hard on your children so they will become angry. Teach them in their growing years with Christian teaching.

5 B ondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;

You servants who are owned by someone must obey your owners. Work for them as hard as you can. Work for them the same as if you were working for Christ.

6 n ot with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,

Do not work hard only when your owner sees you. You would be doing this just to please men. Work as you would work for Christ. Do what God wants you to do with all your heart.

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

Be happy as you work. Do your work as for the Lord, not for men.

8 k nowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Remember this, whatever good thing you do, the Lord will pay you for it. It is the same to the Lord if you are a servant owned by someone or if you work for pay.

9 A nd 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. The Whole Armor of God

Owners, do the right thing for those who work for you. Stop saying that you are going to be hard on them. Remember that your Owner and their Owner is in heaven. God does not respect one person more than another. Things God Gives the Christian to Fight With

10 F inally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.

This is the last thing I want to say: Be strong with the Lord’s strength.

11 P ut on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Put on the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will not fall into the traps of the devil.

12 F or 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.

Our fight is not with people. It is against the leaders and the powers and the spirits of darkness in this world. It is against the demon world that works in the heavens.

13 T herefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Because of this, put on all the things God gives you to fight with. Then you will be able to stand in that sinful day. When it is all over, you will still be standing.

14 S tand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

So stand up and do not be moved. Wear a belt of truth around your body. Wear a piece of iron over your chest which is being right with God.

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

Wear shoes on your feet which are the Good News of peace.

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

Most important of all, you need a covering of faith in front of you. This is to put out the fire-arrows of the devil.

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

The covering for your head is that you have been saved from the punishment of sin. Take the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. How and What to Pray For

18 p raying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—

You must pray at all times as the Holy Spirit leads you to pray. Pray for the things that are needed. You must watch and keep on praying. Remember to pray for all Christians.

19 a nd for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,

Pray for me also. Pray that I might open my mouth without fear. Pray that I will use the right words to preach that which is hard to understand in the Good News.

20 f or which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. A Gracious Greeting

This is the reason I was sent out. But now I am in chains for preaching the Good News. I want to keep on speaking for Christ without fear the way I should.

21 B ut 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;

Tychicus will tell you how I am getting along. He is a much-loved brother and a faithful preacher.

22 w hom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may comfort your hearts.

I have sent him to you because I want him to tell you about us. He will comfort you.

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

May all the Christian brothers have peace and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 G race be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.

May God give loving-favor to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love that never gets weak.