Ephesians 6

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

Honor your father and mother (this is the first commandment with a promise),

so that it goes well with you and you live long in the land.

And fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Servants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, and with a sincere heart, just as you obey Christ.

Be obedient not only to win their approval when they are watching you, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the depths of your soul,

serving with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,

knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will be paid back the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or is free.

And masters, act the same way toward them. Stop threatening them, because you know that he who is both their Lord and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

Finally, be empowered in the Lord, that is, in the might of his strength.

Put on the whole armor of God so that you will be able to stand against the schemes of the Devil.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Because of this, take up the whole armor of God so that you will be able to stand your ground in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.

Stand therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,

and having your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the good news of peace,

and in addition to all this, taking up the shield of trust, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the Wicked One,

and take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Be praying at all times in the spirit with all kinds of prayers and petitions. And to that end, be watchful with all perseverance and petitions for all the holy ones.

And pray on my behalf that whenever I open my mouth words are given to me to make known with boldness the sacred secret of the good news

(for which I am an ambassador in chains). Pray that I speak boldly about it, as I am required to speak.

Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, will make known to you all things so that you also will know the things about me and how I am doing.

I am sending him to you for this very reason, so that you will know how we are doing, and so that he can encourage your hearts.

Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with trust, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an incorruptible love.