6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.^{(A) 2} “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— ³ “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.”^[a](B)

⁴ Fathers,^[b] do not exasperate your children;^(C) instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.^(D)

⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect^(E) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,^(F) just as you would obey Christ.^{(G) 6} 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. ⁷ Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,^{(I) 8} because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,^(J) whether they are slave or free.

⁹ 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.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord^(M) and in his mighty power.^{(N) 11} Put on the full armor of God,^(O) so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,^(P) but against the rulers, against the authorities,^(Q) against the powers^(R) of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.^{(S) 13} Therefore put on the full armor of God,^(T) 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,^(U) with the breastplate of righteousness in place,^{(V) 15} and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.^{(W) 16} In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith,^(X) with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.^{(Y) 17} Take the helmet of salvation^(Z) and the sword of the Spirit,^(AA) which is the word of God.^(AB)

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit^(AC) on all occasions^(AD) with all kinds of prayers and requests.^(AE) With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying^(AF) for all the Lord’s people. ¹⁹ Pray also for me,^(AG) that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly^(AH) make known the mystery^(AI) of the gospel, ²⁰ for which I am an ambassador^(AJ) in chains.^(AK) Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Final Greetings

²¹ Tychicus,^(AL) the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. ²² I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are,^(AM) and that he may encourage you.^(AN)

²³ Peace^(AO) to the brothers and sisters,^[c] and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.^[d]

Living for God

4 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body,^(A) arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin.^{(B) 2} As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires,^(C) but rather for the will of God. ³ For you have spent enough time in the past^(D) doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry.^{(E) 4} They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you.^{(F) 5} But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.^{(G) 6} For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead,^(H) so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

⁷ The end of all things is near.^(I) Therefore be alert and of sober mind^(J) so that you may pray. ⁸ Above all, love each other deeply,^(K) because love covers over a multitude of sins.^{(L) 9} Offer hospitality^(M) to one another without grumbling.^{(N) 10} Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,^(O) as faithful^(P) stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. ¹¹ If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.^(Q) If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides,^(R) so that in all things God may be praised^(S) through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.^(T)

Suffering for Being a Christian

¹² Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you^(U) to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³ But rejoice^(V) inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ,^(W) so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.^{(X) 14} If you are insulted because of the name of Christ,^(Y) you are blessed,^(Z) for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. ¹⁵ If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. ¹⁶ However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.^{(AA) 17} For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household;^(AB) and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?^{(AC) 18} And,

¹⁹ So then, those who suffer according to God’s will^(AE) should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.