6 1Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do. 2The command says, "You must respect your father and mother."a This is the first command that has a promise with it. 3And this is the promise: "Then all will go well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth."b4Fathers, don't make your children angry, but raise them with the kind of teaching and training you learn from the Lord. 9Masters, in the same way, be good to your slaves. Don't say things to scare them. You know that the one who is your Master and their Master is in heaven, and he treats everyone the same. 14So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. 15On your feet wear the Good Newsc of peace to help you stand strong. 16And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil Oned. 17Accept God's salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirite - that sword is the teaching of God. 18Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God's people. 19Also pray for me - that when I speak, God will give me words so that I can tell the secret truth about the Good News without fear. 20I have the work of speaking for that Good News, and that is what I am doing now, here in prison. Pray that when I tell people the Good News, I will speak without fear as I should. 23I pray that God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ will give peace and love with faith to all the brothers and sisters there. 24God's gracef to all of you who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love that never ends. a6:2 Quote from Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16. b6:3 Quote from Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16. cGood News In the Gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God’s kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus the Messiah. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God’s grace - that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever. dEvil One The devil or Satan, the ruler of demons and enemy of God. eSpirit See “Holy Spirit.” fgrace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don’t deserve. |