1. Children, obey your parents the way the Lord wants, because this is the right thing to do.
2. The command says, “You must respect your father and mother.” This is the first command that has a promise with it.
3. And this is the promise: “Then all will go well with you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”
4. Fathers, don’t make your children angry, but raise them with the kind of teaching and training you learn from the Lord.
5. Slaves, obey your masters here on earth with fear and respect. And do this with a heart that is true, just as you obey Christ.
6. You must do this not just to please your masters while they are watching, but all the time. Since you are really slaves of Christ, you must do with all your heart what God wants.
7. Do your work, and be happy to do it. Work as though it is the Lord you are serving, not just an earthly master.
8. Remember that the Lord will give everyone a reward for doing good. Everyone, slave or free, will get a reward for the good things they do.
9. Masters, 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.
10. To end my letter I tell you, be strong in the Lord and in his great power.
11. Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks.