1Children, obey6:1 Pr 1:8; 6:20; 23:22; Col 3:20 your parents in the Lord, because this is right.

2Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise,

3so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.6:3 Or life on the earth6:2–3Ex 20:126:2–3 Ex 20:12

4Fathers, don’t stir up anger6:4 Rm 10:19 in your children, but bring them up in the training6:4 Heb 12:5 and instruction of the Lord.

5Slaves, obey your human6:5 Lit according to the flesh masters6:5 Col 3:22; 1Pt 2:18 with fear and trembling,6:5 Php 2:12 in the sincerity6:5 2Co 9:11 of your heart, as you would Christ.

6Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will6:6 Ps 143:10; Pr 16:9; Gl 1:4; Eph 1:9 from your heart.

7Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,6:7 Col 3:23

8knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.

9And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening6:9 Ac 4:29; 9:1 them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism6:9 Col 3:25 with him.6:9 Col 4:1

10Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.6:10 Ac 4:33

11Put on6:11 Pr 31:25 the full armor6:11 Eph 6:11–17 of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil.

12For our struggle is not against flesh6:12 Php 3:3 and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,6:12 1Pt 3:22 against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,6:12 Mt 6:13; Jn 17:15 spiritual forces in the heavens.6:12 Eph 1:3,20; 2:6; 3:10; Php 2:10

13For this reason take up the full armor6:13 1Th 5:8 of God, so that you may be able to resist6:13 2Tm 4:15; 1Pt 5:9 in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

14Stand,6:14 Pr 24:16; Php 1:27 therefore, with truth6:14 Jn 14:6; 1Jn 5:20 like a belt around your waist, righteousness6:14 Mt 6:33; Rm 1:17; 2Pt 1:1 like armor on your chest,6:14 1Th 5:8

15and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.

16In every situation take up the shield6:16 Gn 15:1 of faith6:16 Mt 8:10; Ac 3:16; Rm 1:8; 1Co 2:5; Gl 2:16; 1Tm 1:2; Heb 4:2 with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.6:16 2Th 3:3

17Take the helmet6:17 1Th 5:8 of salvation and the sword6:17 Mk 14:47 of the Spirit6:17 Ps 51:11; Jn 1:33; Ac 2:4; Rm 8:9; Gl 5:25; Ti 3:5; Rv 3:22 — which is the word of God.

18Pray6:18 Mt 5:44; Ac 12:12 at all times in the Spirit6:18 Jd 20 with every prayer and request, and stay alert6:18 Pr 6:4 with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

19Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness6:19 2Co 3:12 the mystery of the gospel.

20For this I am an ambassador6:20 2Co 5:20 in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

21Tychicus,6:21 Ti 3:12 our dearly loved brother and faithful servant6:21 Or deacon in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed.

22I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage6:22 Lk 16:25 your hearts.6:22 Col 4:8