Ephesians 6
Paul instructs children to obey their parents, fathers not to provoke their children, servants to obey their masters as unto Christ, and masters to treat their servants justly. He commands believers to put on the whole armour of God — the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shield of faith, helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit — to stand against the wiles of the devil.
| v | King James Version | Modern English |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. | Children, obey Your parents in the Lord, for this is right. |
| 2 | Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) | "Honor Your father and mother" — which is the first commandment with a promise— |
| 3 | That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. | "so that it may go well with You and that You may enjoy long life on the earth." |
| 4 | And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. | Fathers, do not exasperate Your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. |
| 5 | Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; | Servants, be obedient to those who are Your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ, |
| 6 | Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; | Obey not only when they are watching — as those who want to please men — but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from Your heart. |
| 7 | With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: | Serve wholeheartedly, as if You were serving the Lord, not people, |
| 8 | Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. | because You know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. |
| 9 | And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him. | And, You masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that Your Master also is in heaven, and there is no respect of persons with Him. |
| 10 | Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. | Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. |
| 11 | Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. | Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. |
| 12 | For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. | For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. |
| 13 | Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. | Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground. After you have done everything, stand. |
| 14 | Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; | Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, |
| 15 | And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; | and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. |
| 16 | Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. | In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish 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: | Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. |
| 18 | Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; | Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people. |
| 19 | And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, | Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, |
| 20 | For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. | for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. |
| 21 | But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do, Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall make known to you all things: | Tychicus, the dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell You everything so You will know how I am and what I am doing. |
| 22 | Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort your hearts. | I am sending Him to You for this very purpose — that You may know how we are and that He may encourage You. |
| 23 | Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. | Peace to the brothers and sisters, and love with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. |
| 24 | Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. | Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love. |