Study Desk

Children, do what is ordered by your fathers and mothers in the Lord: for this is right.

So that all may be well for you, and your life may be long on the earth.

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;

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.

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.

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.

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.

And take salvation for your head-dress and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

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,

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,

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.

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.

Grace be with all those who have true love for our Lord Jesus Christ.

And in all my prayers for you all, making my request with joy,

For I am certain of this very thing, that he by whom the good work was started in you will make it complete till the day of Jesus Christ:

So it is right for me to take thought for you all in this way, because I have you in my heart; for in my chains, and in my arguments before the judges in support of the good news, making clear that it is true, you all have your part with me in grace.

For God is my witness, how my love goes out to you all in the loving mercies of Christ Jesus.

These do it from love, conscious that I am responsible for the cause of the good news:

For I am conscious that this will be for my salvation, through your prayer and the giving out of the stored wealth of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,

For to me life is Christ and death is profit.