Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

1  a Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2  b “Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger c but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Bondservants and Masters

5  d Bondservants ▼
▼ Or slaves; also verse 6 (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
 obey your earthly masters ▼
▼ Or  your masters according to the flesh
 with fear and trembling g with a sincere heart h as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as i people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8  j knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord k whether he is a bondservant ▼
▼ Or slave (for the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface)
 or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them m and stop your threatening, knowing that n he who is both their Master ▼
▼ Greek Lord
 and yours is in heaven, and that p there is no partiality with him.

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally q be strong in the Lord and in r the strength of his might. 11  s Put on t the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against u the schemes of the devil. 12 For v we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against w the rulers, against the authorities, against x the cosmic powers over y this present darkness, against z the spiritual forces of evil aa in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore ab take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in ac the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore ad having fastened on the belt of truth, and ae having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and af as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up ag the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all ah the flaming darts of ai the evil one; 17 and take aj the helmet of salvation, and ak the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying al at all times am in the Spirit an with all prayer and supplication. To that end ao keep alert with all perseverance, making ap supplication for all the saints, 19 and aq also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth ar boldly to proclaim as the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I at am an ambassador au in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

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

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

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