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The Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians

Unlocked Literal Bible :: World English Bible Catholic

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- Chapter 6 -

(Colossians 3:18–21)
1
Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.
2
“Honor your father and mother”, which is the first commandment with promise,
3
“so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”
4
Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger. Instead, raise them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Serving with Honor

(Colossians 3:22–25; 1 Timothy 6:1–2)
5
Slaves, be obedient to your earthly masters with deep respect and trembling, in the honesty of your heart. Be obedient to them as you would be obedient to Christ.
6
Be obedient not only when your masters are watching in order to please them. Instead, be obedient as slaves of Christ, who do the will of God from your heart.
7
Serve with all your heart, as though you were serving the Lord and not people,
8
because we know that for whatever good deed each person does, he will receive a reward from the Lord, whether he is slave or free.
9
Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them. You know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

The Full Armor of God

10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength 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. Instead, it is against the governments and spiritual authorities and rulers of the realm of evil darkness, against the evil spirits in heavenly places.
13
Therefore, put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand in this time of evil, and after you have done everything, to stand firm.
14
Stand, therefore, after you have put on the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness.
15
Then as shoes for your feet, put on the readiness to proclaim 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
And 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. With this mind, always be watching with all perseverance, as you offer prayers for all God’s holy people.
19
And pray for me, that a message might be given to me when I open my mouth. Pray that I might make known with boldness the hidden truth about the gospel.
20
It is for the gospel that I am an ambassador who is kept in chains, so that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

(Philippians 4:21–23; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)
21
Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so that you may know how I am doing.
22
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are, and so that he may encourage your hearts.
23
Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
24
May grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with a love that never dies.
(Colossians 3:18–21)
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
that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” (a)
4
You fathers, don’t provoke your children to wrath, but nurture them in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

Serving with Honor

(Colossians 3:22–25; 1 Timothy 6:1–2)
5
Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ,
6
not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7
with good will doing service as to the Lord and not to men,
8
knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same good again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.
9
You masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with him.

The Full Armor of God

10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world’s rulers of the darkness of this age, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
13
Therefore put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
14
Stand therefore, having the utility belt of truth buckled around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15
and having fitted your feet with the preparation of the Good News of peace,
16
above all, taking up the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one.
17
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word (b) of God;
18
with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints.
19
Pray for me, that utterance may be given to me in opening my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the Good News,
20
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Final Greetings

(Philippians 4:21–23; 2 Timothy 4:19–22)
21
But that you also may know my affairs, how I am doing, Tychicus, the beloved brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will make known to you all things.
22
I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our state and that he may comfort your hearts.
23
Peace be 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 incorruptible love. Amen.

Footnotes

(a)6:3 ℘ Deuteronomy 5:16
(b)6:17 from the Greek “ῥῆμα” (rhema), which means “spoken word”