Children and Parents

Children, obey(A) your parents as you would the Lord,[a] because this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment[b] with a promise, so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.[c](B)[d] Fathers, don’t stir up anger(C) in your children, but bring them up in the training(D) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your human[e] masters(E) with fear and trembling,(F) in the sincerity(G) of your heart, as to Christ. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will(H) from your heart.[f] Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men,(I) knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening(J) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(K) with Him.(L)

Christian Warfare

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.(M) 11 Put on(N) the full armor(O) of God so that you can stand against the tactics[g] of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh(P) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,(Q) against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil(R) in the heavens.(S) 13 This is why you must take up the full armor(T) of God, so that you may be able to resist(U) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand,(V) therefore,

with truth(W) like a belt around your waist,
righteousness(X) like armor on your chest,(Y)
15 and your feet sandaled with readiness
for the gospel of peace.[h]
16 In every situation take the shield(Z) of faith,(AA)
and with it you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(AB)
17 Take the helmet(AC) of salvation,
and the sword(AD) of the Spirit,(AE)
which is God’s word.

18 Pray(AF) at all times in the Spirit(AG) with every prayer and request, and stay alert(AH) in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness(AI) the mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador(AJ) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

21 Tychicus,(AK) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant[i] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22 I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage(AL) your hearts.(AM)

23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father(AN) and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.[j][k]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:1 Lit parents in the Lord
  2. Ephesians 6:2 Or is a preeminent commandment
  3. Ephesians 6:3 Or life on the earth
  4. Ephesians 6:3 Ex 20:12
  5. Ephesians 6:5 Lit according to the flesh
  6. Ephesians 6:6 Lit from soul
  7. Ephesians 6:11 Or schemes, or tricks
  8. Ephesians 6:15 Ready to go tell others about the gospel
  9. Ephesians 6:21 Or deacon
  10. Ephesians 6:24 Other mss add Amen.
  11. Ephesians 6:24 Lit all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(A) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a](B)

Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children;(C) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.(D)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(E) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(F) just as you would obey Christ.(G) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(H) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(I) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(J) whether they are slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours(K) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(L) with him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(M) and in his mighty power.(N) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(O) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(P) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(Q) against the powers(R) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(S) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(T) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,(U) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(V) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(W) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(X) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(Y) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(Z) and the sword of the Spirit,(AA) which is the word of God.(AB)

18 And pray in the Spirit(AC) on all occasions(AD) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(AE) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(AF) for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,(AG) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(AH) make known the mystery(AI) of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador(AJ) in chains.(AK) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus,(AL) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,(AM) and that he may encourage you.(AN)

23 Peace(AO) to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[d]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  2. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
  3. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  4. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.