Efesierbrevet 6

1 I barn, varen edra föräldrar lydiga i Herren, ty detta är rätt och tillbörligt.

You children, because you (belong to/have a close relationship with) the Lord [Jesus], obey your parents, because it is right [for you to do] that.

2 "Hedra din fader och din moder." Det är ju först detta bud som har ett löfte med sig:

God commanded [in the Scriptures], [Greatly] respect your father and mother. That is the first law [that God] commanded in [which he also] promised [something]. [He promised],

3 "för att det må gå dig väl och du må länge leva på jorden".

[If you do] that, you will prosper, and you will live a long time.

4 Och I fäder, reten icke edra barn till vrede, utan fostren dem i Herrens tukt och förmaning.

You parents (OR, You fathers), do not treat your children so severely that they become angry. Instead, bring them up well by instructing them and by disciplining them in [the manner that] the Lord [Jesus wants you to do].

5 I tjänare, varen edra jordiska herrar lydiga, med fruktan och bävan, av uppriktigt hjärta, såsom gällde det Kristus;

You slaves, obey those who are [your masters]. Obey them very respectfully and sincerely [DOU], just like you obey Christ.

6 icke med ögontjänst, av begär att behaga människor, utan såsom Kristi tjänare, som av hjärtat göra Guds vilja;

Obey them, not only when they are watching [MTY] you, and not only to cause them to think highly/well of you. Instead, obey them as [though you were] [MET] slaves of Christ, [not slaves of your masters]. Do enthusiastically what God wants [you to do].

7 och gören eder tjänst med villighet, såsom tjänaden I Herren och icke människor.

Serve [your masters] zealously/wholeheartedly, as you would serve the Lord [Jesus], not as you would serve [ordinary] people.

8 I veten ju att vad gott var och en gör, det skall han få igen av Herren, vare sig han är träl eller fri.

[Do this because] you know that [some day] the Lord Jesus will reward each person for whatever good [deeds] that person has done. He will reward people who are slaves and people who are not slaves.

9 Och I herrar, handlen på samma sätt mot dem, och upphören att bruka hårda ord; I veten ju att i himmelen finnes den som är Herre över både dem och eder, och att hos honom icke finnes anseende till personen.

You masters, just like your slaves [should serve you well], you similarly must treat them well. Stop threatening [to beat] them [if they do not do their work well]. Do not forget you and they have the same Lord who is in heaven. [So he is the one who will say to you and your slaves whether he approves of what you and they have done], and [when he judges people], he does not act more favorably [toward some than he acts toward others].

10 För övrigt, bliven allt starkare i Herren och i hans väldiga kraft.

Finally, at all times rely/depend completely on the Lord [Jesus] to strengthen you [spiritually] by his own mighty power.

11 Ikläden eder hela Guds vapenrustning, så att I kunnen hålla stånd emot djävulens listiga angrepp.

[Just like a soldier] puts on all his (armor/things [to help him fight]) [MET], you should [use every spiritual resource/help that God provides for you], in order that you may successfully resist the devil when he cleverly tries [to oppose you].

12 Ty den kamp vi hava att utkämpa är en kamp icke mot kött och blod, utan mot furstar och väldigheter och världshärskare, som råda här i mörkret, mot ondskans andemakter i himlarymderna. (aiōn g165)

You must do this because the fighting that we [believers] do is not only against human beings [SYN]. Instead, we are also fighting against evil spirits who rule and have authority over all that is evil [MET] in the world. And we are fighting against evil spirits who are in heavenly places (OR, everywhere). (aiōn g165)

13 Tagen alltså på eder hela Guds vapenrustning, så att I kunnen stå emot på den onda dagen och, sedan I haven fullgjort allt, behålla fältet.

Therefore, [just like a soldier] puts on all his (armor/things to help him fight) [MET], [use well all the spiritual resources/helps that God provides for you]. Do that in order that you may be able to resist successfully the devil and all his powerful evil spirits [MTY] every time they (attack you/tempt you to sin or cause something bad to happen to you). [Do it also in order that] when you have done all that you can to resist them [when they attack you], you will still be ready to resist them [when they attack you the next time].

14 Stån därför omgjordade kring edra länder med sanningen, och "varen iklädda rättfärdighetens pansar",

You must be ready to firmly [resist the devil and his evil spirits] [MET], [just like soldiers must be ready to resist the enemy. Prepare for doing that by doing these things]: [To be strong spiritually], hold firmly to [God’s] truth, just like soldiers prepare (to stand firm against/to firmly resist) their enemies by fastening their belts around their waists [MET]. Act righteously [in order to protect yourself against demonic attacks, just like soldiers] put on breastplates [to protect their chests against their enemies’ attacks] [MET].

15 och haven såsom skor på edra fötter den beredvillighet som fridens evangelium giver.

Hold fast the good message [that gives us] peace [with God, just like soldiers] put on their boots firmly [MET] (to stand firm [against/] firmly [resist]) [their enemies].

16 Och tagen alltid trons sköld, varmed I skolen kunna utsläcka den ondes alla brinnande pilar.

In addition, keep trusting firmly [in the Lord. That will enable you to protect yourselves from anything that Satan], the evil one, [may do to harm you spiritually, just like soldiers] carry shields [to protect themselves against] the arrows that have flaming tips [that their enemies shoot at them] [MET].

17 Och låten giva eder "frälsningens hjälm" och Andens svärd, som är Guds ord.

And [rely/depend on the fact that God] has saved you, [in order to protect yourselves against demonic attacks, just like soldiers] put on a helmet [to protect] their [heads from attacks by] their [enemies] [MET]. And be ready to use [the weapon that God’s] Spirit [has given you], which is the message of God, [in order to fight against] ([demonic powers/Satan]), [just like soldiers] use their swords [to fight against their enemies] [MET].

18 Gören detta under ständig åkallan och bön, så att I alltjämt bedjen i Anden och fördenskull vaken, under ständig uthållighet och ständig bön för alla de heliga.

As you are doing that, keep praying [to God] at all times, and requesting him [to do things for you and others; ] and let God’s Spirit [direct what you pray]. For this purpose, always be [spiritually] alert/watchful, and (always be persistent in/never quit) praying for all God’s people.

19 Bedjen ock för mig, att min mun må upplåtas, och att det jag skall tala må bliva mig givet, så att jag frimodigt kungör evangelii hemlighet,

And [specifically], pray for me. Pray that God will tell me what I should say [MTY] whenever I speak, in order that I may boldly tell others the good message about Christ. People did not know that message before, [but God has now revealed it to me].

20 för vars skull jag är ett sändebud i kedjor; ja, bedjen att jag må frimodigt tala därom med de rätta orden.

I am (a representative [of Christ]/one who speaks on behalf [of Christ]) [as I tell this message to others, and] I am in prison [MTY] [because of that]. Pray that when I tell [others about Christ], I may speak without being afraid, because that is how I ought to speak.

21 Men för att ock I skolen få veta något om mig, huru det går mig, kommer Tykikus, min älskade broder och trogne tjänare i Herren, att underrätta eder om allt.

In order that you may know about [what is happening] to me and what I am doing, I am sending Tychicus [to you with this letter]. He will tell you everything [that is happening here]. He is a fellow believer whom we all [(inc)] love very much, and he serves the Lord [Jesus] faithfully.

22 Honom sänder jag till eder, just för att I skolen få veta huru det är med oss, och för att han skall hugna edra hjärtan.

That is the reason that I am sending him [to you]; I want you to know (how my companions and I are/what is happening to my companions and me), and I want him to encourage you [SYN].

23 Frid vare med bröderna och kärlek tillika med tro, från Gud, Fadern, och Herren Jesus Kristus.

[I pray that] God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will cause all of you fellow believers to have [inner] peace, and [enable you to] love [each other] and to continue trusting [in Christ].

24 Nåd vare med alla som älska vår Herre Jesus Kristus -- nåd i oförgängligt liv.

I pray that God will continue to act kindly to [you and] to all [others] who love our Lord Jesus Christ and will never quit loving him.