Children and Parents

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 and Masters

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)

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:1 Lit parents in the Lord
  2. Ephesians 6:2 Or is a preeminent commandment
  3. Ephesians 6:3 Or life on the earth
  4. Ephesians 6:3 Ex 20:12
  5. Ephesians 6:5 Lit according to the flesh
  6. Ephesians 6:6 Lit from soul

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.(A) “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”[a](B)

Fathers,[b] do not exasperate your children;(C) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.(D)

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(E) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(F) just as you would obey Christ.(G) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(H) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(I) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(J) whether they are slave or free.

And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours(K) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(L) with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
  2. Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents