Ephesians:6

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* Children , be obedient to your parents as a Christian duty , for it is a duty . * –this is the first Commandment which has a promise added to it – wmth @Ephesians:6:3 " /> * And you , fathers , do not irritate your children , but bring them up tenderly with true Christian training and advice . * Slaves , be obedient to your earthly masters , with respect and eager anxiety to please and with simplicity of motive as if you were obeying Christ . * Let it not be in acts of eye-service as if you had but to please men , but as Christ 's bondservants who are doing God 's will from the heart . * With right good will , be faithful to your duty as service rendered to the Lord and not to man . * You well know that whatever right thing any one does , he will receive a requital for it from the Lord , whether he is a slave or a free man . * And you masters , act towards your slaves on the same principles , and refrain from threats . For you know that in Heaven there is One who is your Master as well as theirs , and that merely earthly distinctions there are none with Him . * In conclusion , strengthen yourselves in the Lord and in the power which His supreme might imparts . * Put on the complete armour of God , so as to be able to stand firm against all the stratagems of the Devil . * For ours is not a conflict with mere flesh and blood , but with the despotisms , the empires , the forces that control and govern this dark world –the spiritual hosts of evil arrayed against us in the heavenly warfare . * Therefore put on the complete armour of God , so that you may be able to stand your ground on the day of battle , and , having fought to the end , to remain victors on the field . * Stand therefore , first fastening round you the girdle of truth and putting on the breastplate of uprightness * as well as the shoes of the Good News of peace – a firm foundation for your feet . * And besides all these take the great shield of faith , on which you will be able to quench all the flaming darts of the Wicked one ; * and take the helmet of salvation , and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God . * Pray with unceasing prayer and entreaty on every fitting occasion in the Spirit , and be always on the alert to seize opportunities for doing so , with unwearied persistence and entreaty on behalf of all God 's people , * and ask on my behalf that words may be given to me so that , outspoken and fearless , I may make known the truths (hitherto kept secret ) of the Good News – * to spread which I am an ambassador in chains –so that when telling them I may speak out boldly as I ought . * But in order that you also may know how I am doing , Tychicus our dearly-loved brother and faithful helper in the Lord 's service will tell you everything . * I have sent him to you for the very purpose –that you may know about us and that he may encourage you . * Peace be to the brethren , and love combined with faith , from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ . * May grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with perfect sincerity .

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