Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3“so that it may be well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you would Christ; 6not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord and not to people, 8knowing that whatever good anyone does, this they will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

9And masters, do the same to them. Stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

The Whole Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand on the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

14Stand therefore, with the belt of truth fastened around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15and as shoes for your feet, the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one; 17and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit; and to that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. 19And pray for me, that words may be given to me when I open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

21So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord will tell you everything. 22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.