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Ephesians 6
English Standard Version
Ephesians 6
English Standard Version
Children and Parents
6 (A)Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (B)“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3 “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.” 4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, (C)but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
5 (D)Bondservants,[a] obey your earthly masters[b] with fear and trembling, (E)with a sincere heart, (F)as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as (G)people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 (H)knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, (I)whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, (J)and stop your threatening, knowing that (K)he who is both their Master[c] and yours is in heaven, and that (L)there is no partiality with him.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, (M)be strong in the Lord and in (N)the strength of his might. 11 (O)Put on (P)the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against (Q)the schemes of the devil. 12 For (R)we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (S)the rulers, against the authorities, against (T)the cosmic powers over (U)this present darkness, against (V)the spiritual forces of evil (W)in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore (X)take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in (Y)the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. 14 Stand therefore, (Z)having fastened on the belt of truth, and (AA)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and, (AB)as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. 16 In all circumstances take up (AC)the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all (AD)the flaming darts of (AE)the evil one; 17 and take (AF)the helmet of salvation, and (AG)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying (AH)at all times (AI)in the Spirit, (AJ)with all prayer and supplication. To that end, (AK)keep alert with all perseverance, making (AL)supplication for all the saints, 19 and (AM)also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth (AN)boldly to proclaim (AO)the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I (AP)am an ambassador (AQ)in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
Final Greetings
21 (AR)So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, (AS)Tychicus the beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord will tell you everything. 22 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may (AT)encourage your hearts.
23 (AU)Peace be to the brothers,[d] and (AV)love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who (AW)love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptible.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 6:5 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; also verse 6; likewise for bondservant in verse 8
- Ephesians 6:5 Or your masters according to the flesh
- Ephesians 6:9 Greek Lord
- Ephesians 6:23 Or brothers and sisters
Ephesians 6
Common English Bible
Ephesians 6
Common English Bible
6 As for children, obey your parents in the Lord, because it is right. 2 The commandment Honor your father and mother is the first one with a promise attached: 3 so that things will go well for you, and you will live for a long time in the land.[a] 4 As for parents, don’t provoke your children to anger, but raise them with discipline and instruction about the Lord.
5 As for slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling and with sincere devotion to Christ. 6 Don’t work to make yourself look good and try to flatter people, but act like slaves of Christ carrying out God’s will from the heart. 7 Serve your owners enthusiastically, as though you were serving the Lord and not human beings. 8 You know that the Lord will reward every person who does what is right, whether that person is a slave or a free person. 9 As for masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Stop threatening them, because you know that both you and your slaves have a master in heaven. He doesn’t distinguish between people on the basis of status.
Put on the armor of God
10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. 11 Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. 12 We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. 13 Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. 14 So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, 15 and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. 16 Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word.
18 Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers. 19 As for me, pray that when I open my mouth, I’ll get a message that confidently makes this secret plan[b] of the gospel known. 20 I’m an ambassador in chains for the sake of the gospel. Pray so that the Lord will give me the confidence to say what I have to say.
Final greeting
21 Tychicus, my loved brother and faithful servant of the Lord, can inform you about my situation and what I’m doing. 22 I’ve sent him for this reason—so that you will know about us. He can reassure you.
23 May there be peace with the brothers and sisters as well as love with the faith that comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 May grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ forever.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 6:3 Exod 20:12; Deut 5:16
- Ephesians 6:19 Or mystery
Ephesians 6
New International Version
Ephesians 6
New International Version
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]
Footnotes
- Ephesians 6:3 Deut. 5:16
- Ephesians 6:4 Or Parents
- Ephesians 6:23 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family.
- Ephesians 6:24 Or Grace and immortality to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6
New King James Version
Ephesians 6
New King James Version
Children and Parents(A)
6 Children, (B)obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 (C)“Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
4 And (D)you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but (E)bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
Bondservants and Masters
5 (F)Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, (G)with fear and trembling, (H)in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 (I)not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 (J)knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that [a]your own (K)Master also is in heaven, and (L)there is no partiality with Him.
The Whole Armor of God
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 (M)Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the [b]wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against (N)principalities, against powers, against (O)the rulers of [c]the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 (P)Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand (Q)in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14 Stand therefore, (R)having girded your waist with truth, (S)having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 (T)and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking (U)the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And (V)take the helmet of salvation, and (W)the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 (X)praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, (Y)being watchful to this end with all perseverance and (Z)supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, (AA)that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which (AB)I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
A Gracious Greeting
21 But that you also may know my affairs and how I am doing, (AC)Tychicus, a beloved brother and (AD)faithful minister in the Lord, will make all things known to you; 22 (AE)whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, that you may know our affairs, and that he may (AF)comfort your hearts.
23 Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Footnotes
- Ephesians 6:9 NU He who is both their Master and yours is
- Ephesians 6:11 schemings
- Ephesians 6:12 NU this darkness,
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Common English Bible (CEB)
Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.