Study Desk

Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise—

making the most of the time,^[e](t) because the days are evil.

So don't be foolish, but understand^(u) what the Lord's will^(v) is.

And don't get drunk^(w) with wine,^(x) which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit:^(y)

speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord,

giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

submitting to one another in the fear of Christ.^(z)

Wives,^(aa) submit^[f](ab) to your own husbands^(ac) as to the Lord,

for the husband is the head of the wife^(ad) as Christ is the head^(ae) of the church. He is the Savior of the body.^(af)

Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything.

Husbands, love your wives,^(ag) just as Christ loved^(ah) the church and gave Himself^(ai) for her

to make her holy, cleansing^[g] her with the washing of water by the word.

He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless.^(aj)

In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church,

since we are members of His body.^[h]

For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, ^(ak) and the two will become one flesh. ^(al)[i]

This mystery^(am) is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church.

To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband.

Children, obey^(a) your parents as you would the Lord,^[a] because this is right.

Honor your father and mother , which is the first commandment^[b] with a promise,

so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. ^[c](b)[d]

Fathers, don't stir up anger^(c) in your children, but bring them up in the training^(d) and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves, obey your human^[e] masters^(e) with fear and trembling,^(f) in the sincerity^(g) of your heart, as to Christ.

Don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God's will^(h) from your heart.^[f]

Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men,⁽ⁱ⁾

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

And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening^(j) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism^(k) with Him.^(l)

Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength.^(m)

Put on⁽ⁿ⁾ the full armor^(o) of God so that you can stand against the tactics^[g] of the Devil.

For our battle is not against flesh^(p) and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(q) against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil^(r) in the heavens.^(s)

This is why you must take up the full armor^(t) of God, so that you may be able to resist^(u) in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand.

Stand,^(v) therefore, with truth^(w) like a belt around your waist, righteousness^(x) like armor on your chest,^(y)

and your feet sandaled with readiness for the gospel of peace.^[h]

In every situation take the shield^(z) of faith,^(aa) and with it you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^(ab)

Take the helmet^(ac) of salvation, and the sword^(ad) of the Spirit,^(ae) which is God's word.

Pray^(af) at all times in the Spirit^(ag) with every prayer and request, and stay alert^(ah) in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.

Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness^(ai) the mystery of the gospel.

For this I am an ambassador^(aj) in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Tychicus,^(ak) our dearly loved brother and faithful servant^[i] in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed.

I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage^(al) your hearts.^(am)

Peace to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father^(an) and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ.^[j][k]