Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

The expression of the new life (ii)

¹⁸ Wives, adapt yourselves to your husbands, that your marriage may be a Christian unity.

¹⁹ Husbands, be sure you give your wives much love and sympathy; don’t let bitterness or resentment spoil your marriage.

²⁰ As for you children, your duty is to obey your parents, for at your age this is one of the best things you can do to show your love for God.

²¹ Fathers, don’t over-correct your children, or they will grow up feeling inferior and frustrated.

^22-25 Slaves, your job is to obey your masters, not with the idea of currying favour, but as a sincere expression of your devotion to God. Whatever you do, put your whole heart and soul into it, as into work done for God, and not merely for men—knowing that your real reward, a heavenly one, will come from God, since you are actually employed by Christ, and not just by your earthly master. But the wicked man will be punished for his misdeeds, and naturally no distinction will be made between master and man.

4 Remember, then, you employers, that your responsibility is to be fair and just towards those whom you employ, never forgetting that you yourselves have a heavenly employer.