The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 Children, do what is ordered by your fathers and mothers in the Lord: for this is right.
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Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do.
2 Give honour to your father and mother (which is the first rule having a reward),
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"Respect your father and mother" is the first commandment that has a promise added:
3 So that all may be well for you, and your life may be long on the earth.
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"so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land."
4 And, you fathers, do not make your children angry: but give them training in the teaching and fear of the Lord.
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Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.
5 Servants, do what is ordered by those who are your natural masters, having respect and fear for them, with all your heart, as to Christ;
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Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling; and do it with a sincere heart, as though you were serving Christ.
6 Not only under your master's eye, as pleasers of men; but as servants of Christ, doing the pleasure of God from the heart;
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Do this not only when they are watching you, because you want to gain their approval; but with all your heart do what God wants, as slaves of Christ.
7 Doing your work readily, as to the Lord, and not to men:
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Do your work as slaves cheerfully, as though you served the Lord, and not merely human beings.
8 In the knowledge that for every good thing anyone does, he will have his reward from the Lord, If he is a servant or if he is free.
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Remember that the Lord will reward each of us, whether slave or free, for the good work we do.
9 And, you masters, do the same things to them, not making use of violent words: in the knowledge that their Master and yours is in heaven, and he has no respect for a man's position.
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Masters, behave in the same way toward your slaves and stop using threats. Remember that you and your slaves belong to the same Master in heaven, who judges everyone by the same standard.
10 Lastly, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his power.
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Finally, build up your strength in union with the Lord and by means of his mighty power.
11 Take up God's instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One.
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Put on all the armor that God gives you, so that you will be able to stand up against the Devil's evil tricks.
12 For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens.
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For we are not fighting against human beings but against the wicked spiritual forces in the heavenly world, the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark age.
13 For this reason take up all the arms of God, so that you may be able to be strong in the evil day, and, having done all, to keep your place.
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So put on God's armor now! Then when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist the enemy's attacks; and after fighting to the end, you will still hold your ground.
14 Take your place, then, having your body clothed with the true word, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness;
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So stand ready, with truth as a belt tight around your waist, with righteousness as your breastplate,
15 Be ready with the good news of peace as shoes on your feet;
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and as your shoes the readiness to announce the Good News of peace.
16 And most of all, using faith as a cover to keep off all the flaming arrows of the Evil One.
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At all times carry faith as a shield; for with it you will be able to put out all the burning arrows shot by the Evil One.
17 And take salvation for your head-dress and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
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And accept salvation as a helmet, and the word of God as the sword which the Spirit gives you.
18 With prayers and deep desires, making requests at all times in the Spirit, and keeping watch, with strong purpose, in prayer for all the saints,
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Do all this in prayer, asking for God's help. Pray on every occasion, as the Spirit leads. For this reason keep alert and never give up; pray always for all God's people.
19 And for me, that words may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make clear without fear the secret of the good news,
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And pray also for me, that God will give me a message when I am ready to speak, so that I may speak boldly and make known the gospel's secret.
20 For which I am a representative in chains, and that I may say without fear the things which it is right for me to say.
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For the sake of this gospel I am an ambassador, though now I am in prison. Pray that I may be bold in speaking about the gospel as I should.
21 But so that you may have knowledge of my business, and how I am, Tychicus, the well-loved brother and tested servant in the Lord, will give you news of all things:
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Tychicus, our dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord's work, will give you all the news about me, so that you may know how I am getting along.
22 Whom I have sent to you for this very purpose, so that you may have knowledge of our position, and that he may give comfort to your hearts.
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That is why I am sending him to you - to tell you how all of us are getting along and to encourage you.
23 Peace be to the brothers, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
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May God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give to all Christians peace and love with faith.
24 Grace be with all those who have true love for our Lord Jesus Christ.
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May God's grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ with undying love.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.