Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your human[a] masters(A) with fear and trembling,(B) in the sincerity(C) of your heart, as you would Christ. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will(D) from your heart. Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,(E) knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening(F) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(G) with him.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 6:5 Lit according to the flesh

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect(A) and fear, and with sincerity of heart,(B) just as you would obey Christ.(C) Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ,(D) doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people,(E) because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do,(F) whether they are slave or free.

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(G) is in heaven, and there is no favoritism(H) with him.

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