The Christian household

¹⁸ Now a word for wives: you should be subject to your husbands. This is appropriate in the Lord. ¹⁹ And for husbands: you should treat your wives with love, and not be bitter with them. ²⁰ And for children: obey your parents in everything; this pleases the Lord. ²¹ And for fathers: don’t provoke your children to anger, otherwise they might lose heart.

²² A word, too, for slaves: obey your earthly masters in everything. Don’t do it simply out of show, to curry favor with human beings, but wholeheartedly, because you fear the Master. ²³ Whatever you do, give it your very best, as if you were working for the Master and not for human beings. ²⁴ After all, you know that you’re going to receive the true inheritance from the Master as your reward! It is the Master, the Messiah, that you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be paid back for wrongdoing, and there will be no favorites.

4 Here’s a word, too, for masters: do what is just and fair for your slaves. Remember that you too have a Master—in heaven.