Children and Parents

6 Children, obey your parents ·as the Lord wants [^Lin the Lord], because this is ·the right thing to do [right; just]. ² The command says, “Honor your father and mother [Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16].” This is the first command that has a promise with it— ³ “Then everything will be well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth [Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16].”

⁴ ·Fathers [or Parents; Heb. 11:23], do not make your children angry, but raise them with the ·training [discipline] and ·teaching [instruction] of the Lord [Col. 3:21].

Slaves and Masters

⁵ ·Slaves [Bondservants], obey your ·masters here on earth [human masters; ^Lmasters according to the flesh; Col. 3:22; 1 Pet. 2:18–25] with ·respect [fear] and ·fear [trembling] and from a sincere heart, ·just as you [or as you would] obey Christ. ⁶ You must do this not only ·while they are watching you [^Lwith eye-service], ·to please them [^Las people-pleasers]. But as ·slaves [bondservants] of Christ, do ·what God wants [God’s will] ·with all your [or from the] heart. ⁷ Do your work ·with enthusiasm [willingly; cheerfully]. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not people. ⁸ ·Remember [^L…knowing] that the Lord will give ·a reward [or back] to everyone, slave or free, for doing good.

⁹ Masters, treat your slaves the same way. Do not threaten them. Remember that the One who is your Master and their Master is in heaven, and he ·treats everyone alike [has no favorites; shows no favoritism].

Wear the Full Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his ·great [strong; mighty] power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God so that you can fight against the devil’s ·evil tricks [schemes]. ¹² [For] Our ·fight [conflict; struggle] is not against ·people on earth [^Lflesh and blood] but against the rulers and authorities and the ·powers [or cosmic powers/rulers] of this ·world’s darkness [^Ldarkness], against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly ·world [realm; places]. ¹³ ·That is why you need to [^LFor this reason,] put on God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil [^Cpersecution generally or end-time tribulation] you will be able to ·stand strong [keep your ground; resist the enemy]. And ·when you have finished the whole fight [^Lafter you have done/accomplished everything], you will still be standing. ¹⁴ So stand ·strong [or ready], with the belt of truth tied around your waist and the ·body armor [breastplate] of ·right living [a righteous life; or God’s own righteousness/justice; ^Lrighteousness]. ¹⁵ On your feet wear the ·Good News [Gospel] of peace ·to help you stand strong [for firm footing; or to be fully prepared]. ¹⁶ And ·also [in addition to all this; or in all circumstances] use the shield of faith with which you can ·stop [extinguish] all the ·burning arrows [^Tfiery darts] of the Evil One. ¹⁷ ·Accept [Receive; or Take] the helmet of salvation, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the ·word [message] of God. ¹⁸ Pray ·in [or in dependence on] the Spirit at all times with all ·kinds of prayers [^Lprayers and requests], asking for everything you need. To do this you must always be ·ready [alert] ·and never give up [^Lwith all perseverance]. Always pray for all ·God’s people [^Tthe saints].

¹⁹ Also pray for me that when I ·speak [^Lopen my mouth], God will give me words so that I can tell the ·secret [mystery] of the ·Good News [Gospel] ·without fear [confidently; boldly]. ²⁰ ·For this Good News […for which] I am an ambassador in ·prison [^Lchains; 3:1]. Pray that I will speak ·it [or for him; or in him] ·without fear [boldly; confidently], as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹ Tychicus [Acts 20:4; Col. 4:7; 2 Tim. 4:12; Titus 3:12], our ·brother whom we love [dear/beloved brother] and a faithful servant ·of the Lord’s work [or in the Lord] will tell you everything that is happening with me. Then you will know how I am and what I am doing. ²² I am sending him to you for this reason—so that you will know how we are, and he can encourage ·you [^Lyour hearts].

²³ Peace and love with faith to you brothers and sisters from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace to all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with ·love that never ends [an imperishable/undying love].