Ephesians 6

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

2“Honor your father and mother”—the first commandment that comes with a promise—

3“so that it may go well with you and so that you may live long in the land.”

4And fathers, do not stir up anger in your children; instead, raise them with the training and correction of the Lord.

5Slaves, obey your masters according to the flesh with fear and trembling, from an undivided heart, as though obeying Christ.

6Do not work only for show, like people trying to please others, but as Christ’s slaves, carrying out God’s will with all your soul.

7Do your work with good will, as serving the Lord rather than people,

8for you know that each person who does something good will be repaid for it by the Lord, whether slave or free.

9And you masters, act the same way toward them, and give up threats, since you know that the one who is Master over both them and you is in heaven, and he does not play favorites.

10Finally, grow strong in the Lord and in his mighty strength.

11Clothe yourselves with God’s full armor so that you are able to hold your ground against the devil’s tactics.

12For our wrestling match is not against blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

13For this reason, pick up the full armor of God, so that you can resist on the day of evil and, having accomplished everything, remain standing.

14So take your stand, having tied truth around your waist like a belt and having put on righteousness as a breastplate,

15and wearing, as shoes on your feet, the readiness of the gospel of peace.

16Along with all of these, pick up the shield of faith; with it you will be able to put out every burning arrow of the evil one.

17Receive the helmet of salvation as well, and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.

18Through every kind of prayer and plea, pray in the Spirit at every moment. With this in view, stay awake, persisting constantly and pleading for all the saints.

19Pray for me too, that when I open my mouth I will be given a message, so that I may fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,

20for whose sake I serve as an ambassador in a chain. Pray that I may speak about it fearlessly, the way I must speak.

21Tychicus, our dear brother and a faithful servant in the Lord, will fill you in on everything, so that you too may know about my situation and what I am doing.

22That is the very reason I have sent him to you: so that you may learn about our circumstances and so that he may comfort your hearts.

23May the brothers and sisters have peace, and love together with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

24Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love that does not fade.