The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(A) and in his mighty power.^{(B) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(C) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(D) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(E) against the powers^(F) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(G) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(H) so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,^(I) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(J) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(K) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(L) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(M) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(N) and the sword of the Spirit,^(O) which is the word of God.^(P)

¹⁷ He is before all things,^(A) and in him all things hold together. ¹⁸ And he is the head^(B) of the body, the church;^(C) he is the beginning and the firstborn^(D) from among the dead,^(E) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. ¹⁹ For God was pleased^(F) to have all his fullness^(G) dwell in him, ²⁰ and through him to reconcile^(H) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,^(I) by making peace^(J) through his blood,^(K) shed on the cross.

²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies^(L) in your minds^(M) because of^[a] your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled^(N) you by Christ’s physical body^(O) through death to present you^(P) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation^(Q)— ²³ if you continue^(R) in your faith, established^(S) and firm, and do not move from the hope^(T) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,^(U) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.^(V)