< Ephesians 6 >
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord; for this is right.
2 Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise attached),
3 that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth.
4 And you fathers, do not irritate your children, but bring them up in the nature and admonition of the Lord.
5 Slaves, be obedient to those who are your earthly masters, with reverence and humility, in singleness of heart as if to Christ himself;
6 not with eye service, as men-pleasers, but as the slaves of Christ, doing the will of God;
7 slaving with good-will from your heart, as for the Lord and not for men;
8 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 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 Finally, my brothers, let your hearts be strengthened in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on all the panoply of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground against the stratagems of the devil.
12 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 )
13 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 Stand firm then, girt about with the belt of truth, and wearing the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having your feet shod with the stability of the gospel of peace.
16 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 Take likewise the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 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 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 and in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it boldly as I ought to speak.
21 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 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 the brothers and love, with faith from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 May grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with sincerity.
