1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.
2. Honor your father and mother-- which is the first commandment with a promise--
3. that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.
4. And fathers, don't stir up anger in your children, but bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
5. Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ.
6. Don't [work only] while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God's will from your heart.
7. Render service with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men,
8. knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.
9. And masters, treat them the same way, without threatening them, because you know that both their and your Master is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.
10. Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.
11. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil.
12. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.
13. This is why you must take up the full armor of God, so that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.
14. Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist, righteousness like armor on your chest,
15. and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.
16. In every situation take the shield of faith, and with it you will be able to extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God's word.
18. With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit, and stay alert in this, with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.
19. Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
20. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.
21. Tychicus, our dearly loved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything so that you also may know how I am and what I'm doing.
22. I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage your hearts.
23. Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24. Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.