Ephesians

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“that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life on the earth.”

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

Serving with Honor

5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

6And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

7Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men,

8because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.

9And masters, do the same for your slaves. Give up your use of threats, because you know that He who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with Him.

The Full Armor of God

10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.

11Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes.

12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

13Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

14Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness arrayed,

15and with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace.

16In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can 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.

18Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints.

19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will boldly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

21Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know about me and what I am doing.

22I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about us, and that he may encourage your hearts.

23Peace to the brothers and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.

1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is just.

2Honour thy father and thy mother, which is the first commandment with a promise:

3That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest be long lived upon earth.

4And you, fathers, provoke not your children to anger; but bring them up in the discipline and correction of the Lord.

5Servants, be obedient to them that are your lords according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the simplicity of your heart, as to Christ:

6Not serving to the eye, as it were pleasing men, but, as the servants of Christ doing the will of God from the heart,

7With a good will serving, as to the Lord, and not to men.

8Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man shall do, the same shall he receive from the Lord, whether he be bond, or free.

9And you, masters, do the same things to them, forbearing threatenings, knowing that the Lord both of them and you is in heaven; and there is no respect of persons with him.

10Finally, brethren, be strengthened in the Lord, and in the might of his power.

11Put you on the armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil.

12For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and power, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in the high places.

13Therefore take unto you the armour of God, that you may be able to resist in the evil day, and to stand in all things perfect.

14Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of justice,

15And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace:

16In all things taking the shield of faith, wherewith you may be able to extinguish all the fiery darts of the most wicked one.

17And take unto you the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit (which is the word of God).

18By all prayer and supplication praying at all times in the spirit; and in the same watching with all instance and supplication for all the saints:

19And for me, that speech may be given me, that I may open my mouth with confidence, to make known the mystery of the gospel.

20For which I am an ambassador in a chain, so that therein I may be bold to speak according as I ought.

21But that you also may know the things that concern me, and what I am doing, Tychicus, my dearest brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things:

22Whom I have sent to you for this same purpose, that you may know the things concerning us, and that he may comfort your hearts.

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

24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption. Amen.