Slaves and Masters

⁵ Slaves, obey your human^[a] masters^(A) with fear and trembling,^(B) in the sincerity^(C) of your heart, as you would Christ. ⁶ Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing God’s will^(D) from your heart. ⁷ Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people,^{(E) 8} knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord. ⁹ And masters, treat your slaves the same way, without threatening^(F) them, because you know that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism^(G) with him.^(H)

²² Slaves, obey your human^(A) masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.^(B)

Honouring Masters

6 All who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters^[a] as worthy of all respect, so that God’s name^(A) and his teaching will not be blasphemed.

Submission of Slaves to Masters

¹⁸ Household slaves, submit to your masters^(A) with all reverence^(B) not only to the good and gentle ones but also to the cruel.^(C)

⁴ For some people, who were designated for this judgement long ago,^[a](A) have come in by stealth;^(B) they are ungodly,^(C) turning the grace of our God into sensuality and denying^(D) Jesus Christ, our only Master and Lord.