Eph 6 | HCSB | STEP | Children , obey your parents as you would the Lord , because this is right .

Ephesians 6

Children and Parents

1 Children, obey ^a your parents as you would the Lord, ^{▼▼Lit parents in the Lord} because this is right. 2 Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment ^{▼▼Or is a preeminent commandment} with a promise, 3 so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land. ^{▼▼Or life on the earth} ^{e
,} ^f 4 Fathers, don’t stir up anger ^g in your children, but bring them up in the training ^h and instruction of the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

5 ^{▼▼slave: The strong Greek word doulos cannot be accurately translated in English by "servant" or "bond servant"; the HCSB translates this word as "slave," not out of insensitivity to the legitimate concerns of modern English speakers, but out of a commitment to accurately convey the brutal reality of the Roman empire's inhumane institution as well as the ownership called for by Christ.}Slaves, obey your human ^{▼▼Lit according to the flesh} masters ^k with fear and trembling, ^l in the sincerity ^m of your heart, as to Christ. 6 Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but as slaves of Christ, do God’s will ⁿ from your heart. ^{▼▼Lit from soul} 7 Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to men, ^p 8 knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. 9 And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening ^q them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism ^r with Him. ^s

Christian Warfare

10 Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. ^t 11 Put on ^u the full armor ^v of God so that you can stand against the tactics ^{▼▼Or schemes, or tricks} of the Devil. 12 For our battle is not against flesh ^x and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, ^y against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil ^z in the heavens. ^aa 13 This is why you must take up the full armor ^ab of God, so that you may be able to resist ^ac in the evil day, and having prepared everything, to take your stand. 14 Stand, ^ad therefore,

with truth ^ae like a belt around your waist,
righteousness ^af like armor on your chest, ^ag
15 and your feet sandaled with readiness
for the gospel of peace. ^{▼▼Ready to go tell others about the gospel}
16 In every situation take the shield ^ai of faith, ^aj
and with it you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ^ak
17 Take the helmet ^al of salvation,
and the sword ^am of the Spirit, ^an
which is God’s word.

18 Pray ^ao at all times in the Spirit ^ap with every prayer and request, and stay alert ^aq in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the ^{▼▼saint(s)/sanctification/sanctify/sanctified: The work of the Holy Spirit that separates believers in Jesus from the world; at the time of saving faith in Jesus, the believer is made a saint; therefore, all believers are saints. The believer participates with the Spirit in a process of transformation that continues until glorification. The goal of sanctification is progressive conformity to the image of Jesus Christ.}saints. 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness ^as the ^{▼▼Mystery: Transliteration of the Greek word mysterion; a secret hidden in the past but now revealed}mystery of the gospel. 20 For this I am an ambassador ^au in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.

Paul’s Farewell

21 Tychicus, ^av our dearly loved brother and faithful servant ^{▼▼Or deacon} in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me so that you may be informed. 22 I am sending him to you for this very reason, to let you know how we are and to encourage ^ax your hearts. ^ay

23 Peace to the ^{▼▼brother(s): The Greek word adelphoi can be used as a reference to males only or to groups that include males and females. It is the context of each usage that determines the proper meaning.}brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father ^ba and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all who have undying love for our Lord Jesus Christ. ^{▼▼Other mss add Amen.
,} ^{▼▼Lit all who love our Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption}