1 Children, 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 “that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the
earth.”
4 You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them
in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your
masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;
6 not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men-pleasers;
but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 with
good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; 8 knowing that
whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the
Lord, whether he is bound or free.
9 You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening,
knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is
no partiality with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil. 12 For our wrestling is not against flesh
and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the
world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual hosts
of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, put on the whole armor
of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having
done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth
buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, 15 and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which
you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is
the word of God; 18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in
the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests
for all the saints: 19 on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in
opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel,
20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly,
as I ought to speak.
21 But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus,
the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you
all things; 22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that
you may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts.
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus
Christ with incorruptible love. Amen.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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