1. Children, obey your parents as believers in the Lord. Obey them because it's the right thing to do.
2. Scripture says, "Honor your father and mother." That is the first commandment that has a promise.
3. "Then things will go well with you. You will live a long time on the earth." (Deuteronomy 5:16)
4. Fathers, don't make your children angry. Instead, train them and teach them the ways of the Lord as you raise them.
5. Slaves, obey your masters here on earth. Respect them and honor them with a heart that is true. Obey them just as you would obey Christ.
6. Don't obey them only to please them when they are watching. Do it because you are slaves of Christ. Be sure your heart does what God wants.
7. Serve your masters with all your heart. Work as if you were not serving people but the Lord.
8. You know that the Lord will give you a reward. He will give to each of you in keeping with the good you do. It doesn't matter whether you are slaves or free.
9. Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. When you warn them, don't be too hard on them. You know that the One who is their Master and yours is in heaven. And he treats everyone the same.
10. Finally, let the Lord make you strong. Depend on his mighty power.
11. Put on all of God's armor. Then you can stand firm against the devil's evil plans.
12. Our fight is not against human beings. It is against the rulers, the authorities and the powers of this dark world. It is against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world.
13. So put on all of God's armor. Evil days will come. But you will be able to stand up to anything. And after you have done everything you can, you will still be standing.
14. So stand firm. Put the belt of truth around your waist. Put the armor of godliness on your chest.