Children and Parents

6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord,^[a] for this is right.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord.^{(A) 21} Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. ²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters^[a] in everything, not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.^{[b](B) 23} Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans, ²⁴ since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.^{(C) 25} For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.^(D)

Warnings against Evil Companions

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ^[a] dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.^{[b](A) 17} And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.^(B)

Rebellious Children

¹⁸ “If someone has a stubborn and rebellious son who will not obey his father and mother, who does not heed them when they discipline him,^(A)

³ You shall each revere your mother and father, and you shall keep my Sabbaths: I am the Lord your God.^(A)

Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^[a] and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ,^{(A) 6} not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul.