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Children and Parents

¹ Children, obey^(C1) your parents in the Lord, because this is right. ² Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, ³ so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.^{(F1)(F2)(C1) 4} Fathers, don’t stir up anger^(C1) in your children, but bring them up in the training^(C2) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your human^(F1) masters^(C1) with fear and trembling,^(C2) in the sincerity^(C3) of your heart, as you would Christ. ⁶ Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will^(C1) from your heart. ⁷ Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,^{(C1) 8} knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. ⁹ And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening^(C1) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(C2) with him.^(C3)

Christian Warfare

¹⁰ Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.^{(C1) 11} Put on^(C1) the full armor^(C2) of God so that you can stand against the schemes of the devil. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh^(C1) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(C2) against the cosmic powers of this darkness, against evil,^(C3) spiritual forces in the heavens.^{(C4) 13} For this reason take up the full armor^(C1) of God, so that you may be able to resist^(C2) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. ¹⁴ Stand,^(C1) therefore, with truth^(C2) like a belt around your waist, righteousness^(C3) like armor on your chest,^{(C4) 15} and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In every situation take up the shield^(C1) of faith^(C2) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(C3) 17} Take the helmet^(C1) of salvation and the sword^(C2) of the Spirit^(C3)—which is the word of God. ¹⁸ Pray^(C1) at all times in the Spirit^(C2) with every prayer and request, and stay alert^(C3) with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints. ¹⁹ Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness^(C1) the mystery of the gospel. ²⁰ For this I am an ambassador^(C1) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough to speak about it as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

²¹ Tychicus,^(C1) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant^(F1) in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. ²² I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage^(C1) your hearts.^(C2)

²³ Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father^(C1) and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.^(F1)(F2)