Ephesians 6:1-24 CEB

[1] As for children, obey your parents in the Lord, because it is right. [2] The commandment “Honor your father and mother ”is the first one with a promise attached: [3] “so that things will go well for you, and you will live for a long time in the land”. [4] As for parents, don’t provoke your children to anger, but raise them with discipline and instruction about the Lord. [5] As for slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling and with sincere devotion to Christ. [6] Don’t work to make yourself look good and try to flatter people, but act like slaves of Christ carrying out God’s will from the heart. [7] Serve your owners enthusiastically, as though you were serving the Lord and not human beings. [8] You know that the Lord will reward every person who does what is right, whether that person is a slave or a free person. [9] As for masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Stop threatening them, because you know that both you and your slaves have a master in heaven. He doesn’t distinguish between people on the basis of status. [10] Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and his powerful strength. [11] Put on God’s armor so that you can make a stand against the tricks of the devil. [12] We aren’t fighting against human enemies but against rulers, authorities, forces of cosmic darkness, and spiritual powers of evil in the heavens. [13] Therefore, pick up the full armor of God so that you can stand your ground on the evil day and after you have done everything possible to still stand. [14] So stand with the belt of truth around your waist, justice as your breastplate, [15] and put shoes on your feet so that you are ready to spread the good news of peace. [16] Above all, carry the shield of faith so that you can extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one. [17] Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is God’s word. [18] Offer prayers and petitions in the Spirit all the time. Stay alert by hanging in there and praying for all believers. [19] As for me, pray that when I open my mouth, I’ll get a message that confidently makes this secret plan of the gospel known. [20] I’m an ambassador in chains for the sake of the gospel. Pray so that the Lord will give me the confidence to say what I have to say. [21] Tychicus, my loved brother and faithful servant of the Lord, can inform you about my situation and what I’m doing. [22] I’ve sent him for this reason—so that you will know about us. He can reassure you. [23] May there be peace with the brothers and sisters as well as love with the faith that comes from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [24] May grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ forever.