1. Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants. This is the right thing to do.
2. The command says, “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first command that has a promise with it.
3. The promise is: “Then everything will be well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
4. Fathers, do not make your children angry, but raise them with the training and teaching of the Lord.
5. Slaves, obey your masters here on earth with fear and respect. And do that with a heart that is true, just as you obey Christ.
6. You must do more than obey your masters to please them only while they are watching you. You must obey them as you are obeying Christ. With all your heart you must do what God wants.
7. Do your work, and be happy to do it. Work as if you were serving the Lord, not as if you were serving only men.
8. Remember that the Lord will give a reward to everyone, slave or free, for doing good.
9. Masters, in the same way, be good to your slaves. Do not say things to scare them. You know that the One who is your Master and their Master is in heaven. And that Master treats everyone alike.
10. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power.
11. Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks.
12. Our fight is not against people on earth. We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness. We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world.
13. That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing.
14. So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist. And on your chest wear the protection of right living.