Wear the Full Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. ¹¹ Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. ¹² Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. ¹³ That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. ¹⁴ So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist. And on your chest wear the protection of right living. ¹⁵ And on your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. ¹⁶ And also use the shield of faith. With that you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. ¹⁷ Accept God’s salvation to be your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. ¹⁸ Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all God’s people.

¹⁹ Also pray for me. Pray that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret truth of the Good News without fear. ²⁰ I have the work of speaking that Good News. I am doing that now, here in prison. Pray that when I preach the Good News I will speak without fear, as I should.

Jesus Teaches About Prayer

⁵ “When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites. They love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners and pray loudly. They want people to see them pray. I tell you the truth. They already have their full reward. ⁶ When you pray, you should go into your room and close the door. Then pray to your Father who cannot be seen. Your Father can see what is done in secret, and he will reward you.

⁷ “And when you pray, don’t be like those people who don’t know God. They continue saying things that mean nothing. They think that God will hear them because of the many things they say. ⁸ Don’t be like them. Your Father knows the things you need before you ask him. ⁹ So when you pray, you should pray like this:

¹⁴ Yes, if you forgive others for the things they do wrong, then your Father in heaven will also forgive you for the things you do wrong. ¹⁵ But if you don’t forgive the wrongs of others, then your Father in heaven will not forgive the wrong things you do.

The Flock of God

5 Now I have something to say to the elders in your group. I am also an elder. I myself have seen Christ’s sufferings. And I will share in the glory that will be shown to us. I beg you to ² take care of God’s flock, his people, that you are responsible for. Watch over it because you want to, not because you are forced to do it. That is how God wants it. Do it because you are happy to serve, not because you want money. ³ Do not be like a ruler over people you are responsible for. Be good examples to them. ⁴ Then when Christ, the Head Shepherd, comes, you will get a crown. This crown will be glorious, and it will never lose its beauty.

⁵ In the same way, younger men should be willing to be under older men. And all of you should be very humble with each other.

⁶ So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then he will lift you up when the right time comes. ⁷ Give all your worries to him, because he cares for you.

⁸ Control yourselves and be careful! The devil is your enemy. And he goes around like a roaring lion looking for someone to eat. ⁹ Refuse to give in to the devil. Stand strong in your faith. You know that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are having the same sufferings you have.

¹⁰ Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He called you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever.

¹⁶ Always be happy. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not stop the work of the Holy Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecy as if it were not important. ²¹ But test everything. Keep what is good. ²² And stay away from everything that is evil.