Ephesians 6

1 Children, do what your parents tell you, for this is the right thing to do.

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

2 “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment that has a promise attached:

Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise attached),

3 “that things may go well for you and you may live a long life on the earth.”

that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.

4 Fathers, don't make your children mad, but look after them by disciplining them and instructing them about God.

And you fathers, do not irritate your children, but bring them up in the nature and admonition of the Lord.

5 Servants, obey those who are your human masters, with proper respect and awe, doing things from sincere motives as if you were serving Christ.

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with reverence and humility, in singleness of heart as if to Christ himself;

6 Don't just work well when you're being watched to gain approval, but work like servants of Christ, honestly doing God's will,

not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as the slaves of Christ, doing the will of God;

7 happily serving as if you were doing it for the Lord, and not for people.

slaving with good-will from your heart, as for the Lord and not for men;

8 You know that whoever does what's good will be rewarded by the Lord, whether that person is a servant or someone who is free.

because you know that whatever good any man does, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be slave or free man.

9 Masters, you should treat your servants the same way. Don't threaten them, remember that the Lord in heaven is both their master and yours, and he treats people the same, without favoritism.

And you masters, show the same spirit to your slaves, and stop threatening them; for you know that your masters and theirs is in heaven, and that there is no respect of persons with him.

10 Lastly, stay strong in the Lord, and in his mighty power.

Finally, my brothers, let your hearts be strengthened in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

11 Put on all the armor of God so you can withstand all the devil's attacks!

Put on all the panoply of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground against the stratagems of the devil.

12 We're not fighting against human forces, but against supernatural rulers and powers, the dark lords of this world, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens. (aiōn g165)

For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the despotisms, the empires, the rulers of this present darkness, the spirit-hosts of evil in the heavenly realm. (aiōn g165)

13 Take all the weapons God provides so that you may be able to stand your ground in the day of evil and after doing all you can, to find yourself still standing!

Therefore take up the panoply of God, so that when the evil day comes you may be able to withstand them, and having overthrown them all, to stand your ground.

14 So stand up, wrap the belt of truth around your waist, tie on the breastplate of justice and the right,

Stand firm then, girt about with the belt of truth, and wearing the breastplate of righteousness,

15 and put on the shoes of readiness to share the good news of peace.

and having your feet shod with the stability of the gospel of peace.

16 Above all, take up the shield of trusting God, by which you'll be able to put out all the devil's flaming arrows.

And take up to cover you the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the Evil One.

17 Wear the helmet of salvation, and carry the sword of the Spirit—the Spirit that's the word of God.

Take likewise the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 Always pray in the Spirit as you do all this. Stay awake and keep on praying for all God's people.

Continue to pray at all times, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching for it with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

19 Pray for me too so that I'll be given the right words to say, and that I'll be able to explain confidently the hidden truths of the good news.

and for me, that utterance may be given me to open my mouth boldly, and to make known the mystery of the gospel for which I am an ambassador,

20 I'm an imprisoned ambassador for the sake of the good news, so please pray that I will speak fearlessly, as I should.

and in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it boldly as I ought to speak.

21 Tychicus, our good friend and faithful minister, will give you all my news and explain everything so you'll know how I'm doing.

But that you also may know my affairs and how I do, Tychicus, my beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make everything known to you.

22 That's why I'm sending him to you—to tell you what's happened to us and to encourage you.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may cheer your hearts.

23 Peace to all the Christians there, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, with love and trust in him.

Peace to the brothers and love, with faith from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace to all those who eternally love our Lord Jesus.

May grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with sincerity.