Ephesians
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right.
“Honor
your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with a promise:
“so that it may go well for you, and you may live long on the earth.”
Parents, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them in the
discipline and instruction of the Lord.
Servants, be obedient to your masters on earth with fear and
trembling. Do this in sincerity of heart, as to the Messiah,
not only when you are
being watched, just to please people, but as servants of the Messiah, doing God’s will from the heart.
Serve enthusiastically, as for the Lord and not
for people,
because you know that the Lord will reward whatever good thing you do, whether you are slave or free.
Masters, treat your servants the same way, and give up making threats,
because you know that you and they have the same Master in heaven, and there is no
favoritism with Him.
Finally, be empowered in the Lord and in the strength of His power.
Put on
the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the Devil’s tactics.
For we are not fighting against human forces,
but against the authorities, against the powers, against the cosmic rulers of this darkness, who are the spirit forces of evil in the heavenly
places.
That is why you need to put on the complete armor of God, so that you may be able to
stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to still stand strong.
So then stand firm, buckling the belt of truth around your waist, and putting on the breastplate of uprightness,
and wearing on your feet the preparation of the Gospel of peace.
In addition, pick up the shield of the faith, so that with it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
And put on the helmet of salvation, and take the sword of the spirit, which is the Gospel-word of God.
With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the spirit. To do this be alert and always persevere in making requests for all the saints.
And pray for me, that the right words may be given to me when I begin to speak,
to make known confidently the revealed secret of the Gospel.
I am an
ambassador in chains for the Gospel, so pray that I may speak it boldly, as I should.
So that you may know my circumstances and how I am doing, Tychicus,
the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will let you know
everything.
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may
know about us and that he may encourage your hearts.
Peace be to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith, from God who is the
Father and from the lord Jesus Messiah.
Grace be with all those who love our
lord Jesus Messiah with love that will never die.
Ephesians