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1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2 “Honor your father and mother” (which is the first commandment with a promise),
3 “so that it may be well with you and you may be long- lived on the earth.”
4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger. Instead, raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5 Slaves, be obedient to your human masters with fear and trembling, in the honesty of your heart, as to Christ,
6 not with eye- service as men- pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the soul,
7 serving with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not men,
8 knowing that each person, if he does something good, this he will receive from the Lord, whether slave or free.
9 Masters, do the same to them. Stop using threats. You know that the Master, both theirs and yours, is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the scheming plans of the devil.
12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world- controllers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done everything, to stand.
14 Stand, therefore, after having fastened up your robe around your waist with the truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and having shod your feet with the readiness of the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, by which you will be able to put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 With every prayer and request, pray at all times in the Spirit. To this end, be watchful with all perseverance and requests for all the saints,
19 and for me, that a message may be given to me when I open my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel
20 (for which I am an ambassador in chains), so that in it I may speak boldly, as it is appropriate for me to speak.
21 So that you also may know the things concerning me, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything,
22 whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, so that you may know the things about us and your hearts may be encouraged.
23 Peace to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with incorruptibility.
The Letter of Paul to the Ephesians