Dual Panel1Children, obey your parents; for it is only right that you should.
2“Honour your father and your mother” is the first commandment to carry a promise with it:
3“that it may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.”
4Fathers, do not goad your children to resentment, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5Slaves, give single-minded obedience to your earthly masters with fear and trembling, as if to Christ.
6Do it not merely to catch their eye or curry favour with them, but as slaves of Christ do the will of God wholeheartedly.
7Give cheerful service, as slaves of the Lord rather than of men.
8You know that whatever good anyone may do, slave or free, will be repaid by the Lord.
9Masters, treat your slaves in the same spirit: give up using threats, and remember that you both have the same Master in heaven; there is no favouritism with him.
The Christian's armoury
10FINALLY, find your strength in the Lord, in his mighty power.
11Put on the full armour provided by God, so that you may be able to stand firm against the stratagems of the devil.
12For our struggle is not against human foes, but against cosmic powers, against the authorities and potentates of this dark age, against the superhuman forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
13Therefore, take up the armour of God; then you will be able to withstand them on the evil day and, after doing your utmost, to stand your ground.
14Stand fast, I say. Fasten on the belt of truth; for a breastplate put on integrity;
15let the shoes on your feet be the gospel of peace, to give you firm footing;
16and, with all these, take up the great shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the burning arrows of the evil one.
17Accept salvation as your helmet, and the sword which the Spirit gives you, the word of God.
18Constantly ask God's help in prayer, and pray always in the power of the Spirit. To this end keep watch and persevere, always interceding for all God's people.
19Pray also for me, that I may be granted the right words when I speak, and may boldly and freely make known the hidden purpose of the gospel,
20for which I am an ambassador -- in chains. Pray that I may speak of it boldly, as is my duty.
21YOU WILL want to know how I am and what I am doing; Tychicus will give you all the news. He is our dear brother and trustworthy helper in the Lord's work.
22I am sending him to you on purpose to let you have news of us and to put fresh heart into you.
23Peace to the community and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24God's grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.