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Sons, obey ye to your father and mother, in the Lord; for this thing is rightful [for this thing is just, or rightful].

Honour thou thy father and mother, that is the first commandment in [the] promise;

that it be well to thee, and that thou be long living on the earth.

And, [ye] fathers, do not ye provoke your sons to wrath; but nourish ye them in the teaching and chastising of the Lord [but nourish them in the discipline and correction, or chastising, of the Lord].

Servants, obey ye to fleshly lords with dread and trembling, in simpleness of your heart, as to Christ;

not serving at the eye [not serving at eye], as pleasing to men, but as servants of Christ; doing the will of God by discretion,

with good will serving as to the Lord, and not as to men [and not to men];

witting that each man, whatever good thing he shall do, he shall receive this of the Lord [this he shall receive of the Lord], whether servant, whether free man.

And, ye lords, do the same things to them, forgiving menacings [forgiving menaces]; witting that both their Lord and yours is in heavens, and the taking of persons is not with God.

10 Here afterward, brethren, be ye comforted in the Lord, and in the might of his virtue.

11 Clothe you with the armour of God, that ye be able to stand against the ambushings [the ambushings, or assailings,] of the devil.

12 For why striving is not to us against flesh and blood [For striving, or battle, is not to us against flesh and blood], but against [the] princes and potentates, against governors of the world of these darknesses, against spiritual things of wickedness, in heavenly things.

13 Therefore take ye the armour of God, that ye be able to against-stand in the evil day; and in all things stand perfect.

14 Therefore stand ye, and be girded about your loins in soothfastness [Therefore stand ye, girded about your loins in soothfastness], and clothed with the habergeon of rightwiseness,

15 and your feet shod in making ready of the gospel of peace.

16 In all things take ye the shield of faith, in which ye be able to quench all the fiery darts of him that is most wicked.[a]

17 And take ye the helmet of health, and the sword of the Ghost, that is, the word of God.

18 By all prayer and beseeching pray ye all time in Spirit, and in him waking in all busyness, and beseeching for all holy men, [By all prayer and beseeching praying all time in Spirit, and in him waking in all busyness, and beseeching for all saints,]

19 and for me; that word be given to me in opening of my mouth, with trust to make known the mystery of the gospel,

20 for which I am set in message in a chain [for which I am set in legacy, or message, in this chain]; so that in it I be hardy to speak, as it behooveth me [to speak out].

21 And [that] ye know, what things be about me, what I do, Tychicus, my most dear brother, and true minister in the Lord, shall make all things known to you;

22 whom I sent to you for this same thing, that ye know what things be about us, and that he comfort your hearts.

23 Peace to brethren, and charity, with faith of God our Father, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

24 Grace with all men that love our Lord Jesus Christ in uncorruption. Amen, that is, So be it. [Grace with all that love our Lord Jesus in uncorruption. Amen.]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:16 In all things taking the shield of faith, in which ye be able to quench all the fiery darts of the worst.

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(A) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a](B)

Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children;(C) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.(D)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(E) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(F) just as you would obey Christ.(G) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(H) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(I) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(J) whether they are slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours(K) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(L) with him.

The Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord(M) and in his mighty power.(N) 11 Put on the full armor of God,(O) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,(P) but against the rulers, against the authorities,(Q) against the powers(R) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.(S) 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God,(T) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,(U) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,(V) 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.(W) 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,(X) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.(Y) 17 Take the helmet of salvation(Z) and the sword of the Spirit,(AA) which is the word of God.(AB)

18 And pray in the Spirit(AC) on all occasions(AD) with all kinds of prayers and requests.(AE) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying(AF) for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me,(AG) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly(AH) make known the mystery(AI) of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador(AJ) in chains.(AK) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21 Tychicus,(AL) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,(AM) and that he may encourage you.(AN)

23 Peace(AO) to the brothers and sisters,[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.[d]

Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  2. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
  3. Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
  4. Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.