1Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2"Honour your father and mother." This is the first commandment that comes with a promise.
3The promise is this: "so that it may go well with you, and you may live a long time on the earth."
4Fathers, do not make your children angry. Instead, bring them up with the training and teaching of the Lord.
5Servants, obey those who are your masters here on earth. Do it with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as if you were serving Christ.
6Do not obey only when you are being watched, like people trying to please others. Obey as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
7Serve willingly, as serving the Lord and not men.
8You know that whatever good thing anyone does, he will receive the same back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9And masters, treat your servants in the same way. Stop threatening them. You know that your own Master is in heaven, and he shows no favouritism.
10Finally, my brothers and sisters, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11Put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the tricks of the devil.
12For our struggle is not against flesh and blood. It is against rulers, against powers, against the lords of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13So take up the whole armour of God. Then you will be able to hold your ground on the evil day, and, when you have done everything, still stand.
14So stand firm. Tie truth round your waist like a belt. Wear righteousness as your breastplate.
15Put on your feet the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
16Above all, take up the shield of faith. With it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows of the evil one.
17And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18Pray at all times in the Spirit, with every kind of prayer and request. Keep watch in this, never giving up, and pray for all the saints.
19Pray for me too, that words may be given to me, so that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.
20For this gospel I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may speak about it boldly, as I ought to speak.
21So that you also may know how I am and what I am doing, Tychicus will tell you everything. He is a dear brother and a faithful servant in the Lord.
22I have sent him to you for this very reason: so that you may know how we are, and so that he may comfort your hearts.
23Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ sincerely. Amen. «To the Ephesians written from Rome, by Tychicus.»