Ephesians 6

 

1 Children, listen carefully to observe (the instructions of) your parents regarding the Lord: for this is how (God designed) that it should be.

 

2 That you (like Christ, would) honor (and cherish above all things, the instruction of Abba) your Father and (the Holy Spirit, who is wonderful counselor, your) mother; which is the first precept that points to the promise (of eternal life);

 

3 That (He would be with you to father you with His life) which (life is) well pleasing to you, and so that you may live long in the land (which the Lord has promised to give you as an inheritance and serve you with kindness for the ages to come, in a world without end).

 

4 And you, (earthly) fathers, do not (deal impatiently), angering your children to wrath (which has no ability to produce the fruit of God’s life in them), but bring them up in the training and correction which comes from (the faith authored and finished) by the Lord (Jesus).

 

5 To them which are under the authority of others, listen carefully to follow the instructions of those whom you serve according to the flesh, with fear and trembling (which is to stand in awe of and totally rely on the Father's ability and not your own), in singleness (and sincerity) of your heart (and mind), according to (the wisdom of) Christ;

 

6 Not just with service that can be seen with the eyes which only pleases men but as those who are being served by the life of Christ (giving all diligence to the faith of Christ), which is to do the will of God from the heart;

 

7 With kindness do your service (from the heart) as the Lord (has persuaded you) and not (with eyeservice) to (please) men:

 

8 Knowing that whatever good thing any man does, the same (finds its origin in that which) he has received from the Lord, whether he is a bound or free.

 

9 And you who have rule over others, do the same things (with kindness) toward those who are under your authority (having your heart persuaded by the Lord), (where you are able to) let go of threatening: knowing that your Master in heaven (has served you with kindness); neither does He make any distinction between those who are bound or free (Jew or Gentile, male or female).

 

10 Finally, my brethren, be strengthened (abiding) in the Lord (by looking unto Him as your strength) and in the power of His might (and not your own).

 

11 Being (fully) clothed with the armor of God (which He desires) to clothe you with, so that you may be able to stand (in the power of His might and not your own) against the craftily devised schemes (which have been planted in the world by that slanderous accuser) the devil.

 

12 For we do not wrestle against (nor is our conflict with) flesh and blood (fighting against other men in the flesh), but against the rulers and against powers (of darkness), against the vital principles of iniquity (and its pain ridden ordinances to serve yourself with a good life) which are exalted (and contained) in the world.

 

13 Because of this (grab hold of) taking unto yourself the complete armor (which you have received) from God, so that you may (by the power of His might) withstand the day when you are harassed (and abused) by the labors (and annoyances that death can bring) and having done all (this) to (rest) established (in Him who has already stood in the face of death for you).

 

14 Stand therefore (resting and established) in the truth which contains the power to reproduce His life (and immortality) in you, and clothed with the breastplate (that protects your heart with His loving-kindness, persuading you) of His indestructible life (where you are free from death and the fear of death);

 

15 And your feet firmly established in (the certainty of the word) the gospel declares (which was made flesh in the resurrection, the hope of the same life of Christ that came out of the grave an immortal man which word serves our hearts with love) peace (and rest that brings unity);

 

16 Above everything else, diligently harken to the faith (of our Lord Jesus) which (is full of power and ability to) shield you from and extinguish all the fiery darts that death can bring (by beholding that death has been abolished in the testimony of Jesus Christ).

 

17 And receive (Christ who is) the helmet (the head that provides all nourishment to the body and the hope) of (our) salvation (and wholeness, who has sent away death and brought His life and immortality to light) and the sword of the Spirit, which speaks the word of God (to your heart whereby you cry, Abba Father):

 

18 Praying on every occasion and with each type of prayer and request by the Spirit (interceding in our hearts), looking (only) to (Him) with steadfastness (the One who has provided Himself) for the needs of all the saints;

 

19 And (pray) for me, that (the Spirit) would provide me the words, so that I may open my mouth boldly, to (declare and) make known the mystery of the gospel (in Christ),

 

20 For which I am an ambassador in (light) chains (which contain no ability to injure my life in Christ): so that in these bonds I may speak (with) boldness (and confidence) the things which I ought to speak.

 

21 But (also) so that you may know my affairs, and how I am doing, Tych'i-cus, a beloved brother (of mine) and faithful minister in the Lord, will make all these things known to you:

 

22 I have sent him to you for the same purpose, so that you might know our affairs, and that (in doing so) he might comfort your hearts.

 

23 Peace be with all the brethren, and love along with the faith, (which comes) from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

24 (May the) grace (which comes from God influence the hearts of) all of them who love our Lord Jesus Christ with (His) immortality. Amen.