Ephesians 6

1 Children, do what is ordered by your fathers and mothers in the Lord: for this is right.

Children, be obedient to your parents as a Christian duty, for it is a duty.

2 Give honour to your father and mother (which is the first rule having a reward),

"Honour your father and your mother" --this is the first Commandment which has a promise added to it--

3 So that all may be well for you, and your life may be long on the earth.

"so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth."

4 And, you fathers, do not make your children angry: but give them training in the teaching and fear of the Lord.

And you, fathers, do not irritate your children, but bring them up tenderly with true Christian training and advice.

5 Servants, do what is ordered by those who are your natural masters, having respect and fear for them, with all your heart, as to Christ;

Slaves, be obedient to your earthly masters, with respect and eager anxiety to please and with simplicity of motive as if you were obeying Christ.

6 Not only under your master's eye, as pleasers of men; but as servants of Christ, doing the pleasure of God from the heart;

Let it not be in acts of eye-service as if you had but to please men, but as Christ's bondservants who are doing God's will from the heart.

7 Doing your work readily, as to the Lord, and not to men:

With right good will, be faithful to your duty as service rendered to the Lord and not to man.

8 In the knowledge that for every good thing anyone does, he will have his reward from the Lord, If he is a servant or if he is free.

You well know that whatever right thing any one does, he will receive a requital for it from the Lord, whether he is a slave or a free man.

9 And, you masters, do the same things to them, not making use of violent words: in the knowledge that their Master and yours is in heaven, and he has no respect for a man's position.

And you masters, act towards your slaves on the same principles, and refrain from threats. For you know that in Heaven there is One who is your Master as well as theirs, and that merely earthly distinctions there are none with Him.

10 Lastly, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power.

In conclusion, strengthen yourselves in the Lord and in the power which His supreme might imparts.

11 Take up God's instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One.

Put on the complete armour of God, so as to be able to stand firm against all the stratagems of the Devil.

12 For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens. (aiōn g165)

For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood, but with the despotisms, the empires, the forces that control and govern this dark world--the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare. (aiōn g165)

13 For this reason take up all the arms of God, so that you may be able to be strong in the evil day, and, having done all, to keep your place.

Therefore put on the complete armour of God, so that you may be able to stand your ground on the day of battle, and, having fought to the end, to remain victors on the field.

14 Take your place, then, having your body clothed with the true word, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness;

Stand therefore, first fastening round you the girdle of truth and putting on the breastplate of uprightness

15 Be ready with the good news of peace as shoes on your feet;

as well as the shoes of the Good News of peace-- a firm foundation for your feet.

16 And most of all, using faith as a cover to keep off all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.

And besides all these take the great shield of faith, on which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the Wicked one;

17 And take salvation for your head-dress and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

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

18 With prayers and deep desires, making requests at all times in the Spirit, and keeping watch, with strong purpose, in prayer for all the saints,

Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion in the Spirit, and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so, with unwearied persistence and entreaty on behalf of all God's people,

19 And for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make clear without fear the secret of the good news,

and ask on my behalf that words may be given to me so that, outspoken and fearless, I may make known the truths (hitherto kept secret) of the Good News--

20 For which I am a representative in chains, and that I may say without fear the things which it is right for me to say.

to spread which I am an ambassador in chains--so that when telling them I may speak out boldly as I ought.

21 But so that you may have knowledge of my business, and how I am, Tychicus, the well-loved brother and tested servant in the Lord, will give you news of all things:

But in order that you also may know how I am doing, Tychicus our dearly-loved brother and faithful helper in the Lord's service will tell you everything.

22 Whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, so that you may have knowledge of our position, and that he may give comfort to your hearts.

I have sent him to you for the very purpose--that you may know about us and that he may encourage you.

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

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

24 Grace be with all those who have true love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

May grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with perfect sincerity.