¹Children, obey your parents as a way of obeying the Lord. That’s the right thing to do.

²Scripture says, “Honor your father and mother.” That’s the first commandment that has a promise:

³“Then things will go well with you, and you’ll live a long time on the earth.”

⁴Fathers, don’t frustrate your children to the point where they get angry. Instead, instruct them and teach them the ways of the Lord as you raise them.

⁵Slaves, obey your masters here on earth. Sincerely respect and honor them. Obey them as a way of obeying Christ.

⁶And don’t obey them just to please them when they’re watching, but in order to do the will of God genuinely, as slaves of Christ.

⁷Serve your masters with all your heart, as if you were serving the Lord and not people.

⁸You know that the Lord will give each one a reward for whatever good they do, whether they’re a slave or a free person.

⁹Masters, treat your slaves with the same kind of respect. Don’t threaten them, because you know that God, who is their Master and yours, is in heaven. He doesn’t let people get away with things just because of their positions.

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

¹¹Put on all of God’s armor so that you can fight back against the devil’s tricks.

¹²We’re not fighting against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world.

¹³So put on all of God’s armor, so that when evil days come, you’ll be able to stand up to anything. After you’ve done everything you can, you’ll still be standing.

¹⁴So stand firm, buckle the belt of truth around your waist, put the armor of godliness on your chest,

¹⁵and wear on your feet the readiness to share the good news of peace.

¹⁶Also, carry the shield of faith, because with it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

¹⁷Put on the helmet of salvation, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸Pray in the Spirit at all times, making all kinds of prayers and requests. Stay alert and always keep praying for all the Lord’s people.

¹⁹Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, the right words will be given to me so I can explain the mystery of the good news boldly.

²⁰Because of the good news, I’m being held in chains as the Lord’s messenger. So pray that I will preach the good news boldly, as I should.

²¹Tychicus, our dear brother and the Lord’s faithful servant, will tell you all the news about me. Then you’ll know how I am and what I’m doing.

²²I’m sending him to you because I want you to know how we are and because I want him to encourage you.

²³May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give all of you brothers and sisters peace, love, and faith.

²⁴And may grace be given to everyone who loves our Lord Jesus Christ with a love that never dies.