Colossians 3

1 If, then, you were raised with the Christ, seek the things above, where the Christ is, seated on the right hand of God;

You now are alive [spiritually], and [it is as though you were given new life] {[God caused you to become alive]} when he caused Christ to become alive again. So be constantly wanting what is associated with heaven [MTY], where Christ is. There God has given him supreme authority and the highest honor.

2 mind the things above, not the things on the earth,

Be constantly wanting the blessings that God has prepared for you in heaven [MTY]. Do not be constantly wanting [to do the evil deeds that people on] earth do [MTY],

3 for you died, and your life has been hid with the Christ in God;

because you have [ceased to behave as you formerly did. You are like people who have] died. You now live [spiritually] together with Christ in [the presence of] God; and [people] cannot see that [you have a new life].

4 when the Christ—our life—may have appeared, then we will also appear with Him in glory.

When Christ, who causes you to live [spiritually], is publicly revealed, then God will also reveal you publicly together with Christ, [and you together with Christ will be] glorious.

5 Put to death, then, your members that [are] on the earth—whoredom, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and the covetousness, which is idolatry—

[Get rid of your evil practices/deeds] [MET, MTY] [as though they were enemies whom] you were killing (OR, [Stop doing evil things] [MET, MTY], just as dead people do not do what is evil). Specifically, do not practice sexual immorality. Do not commit unnatural sexual acts. Do not desire to act like that, and do not desire [to do anything that is] evil. Do not desire to have more things than you need, because, if you do that, you are (worshipping material things instead of worshipping God/making material things to become your god).

6 because of which things comes the anger of God on the sons of the disobedience,

[Do not behave like that] since God will punish [MTY] those who disobey him, because of their sins.

7 in which you also—you once walked, when you lived in them;

You also formerly did those things when you were disobeying God.

8 but now put off, even you, the whole—anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy talking—out of your mouth.

Now, however, as for you, do not do any of these evil deeds: Do not get angry in any way [DOU]. Do not act maliciously. Do not (slander/talk evil about) people. Do not talk abusively to people.

9 Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his practices,

Do not lie to one another. Do not do those things, because you have (disposed of/stopped obeying) your former evil nature and stopped doing what you did when you had that former [evil] nature,

10 and having put on the new, which is renewed in regard to knowledge, after the image of Him who created him,

and because you have received a new nature. God is causing your new nature to become more and more like his own nature. He created your new nature in order that [you might get to] know [God] truly.

11 where there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, servant, freeman, but Christ [is] all and in all.

As a result of that, it is not [important whether anyone is a] non-Jew or a Jew, or [whether anyone is] circumcised or not, or [whether anyone is] a foreigner, or even uncivilized, or [whether anyone is] a slave or not a slave. But [what is important is] Christ, who is supremely important in every way.

12 Put on, therefore, as chosen ones of God, holy and beloved, yearnings of mercies, kindness, humble-mindedness, meekness, long-suffering,

Because God has chosen you to be his people; and because he loves you, be compassionate to one another. Be kind to one another. Be humble. Be meek (OR, be considerate toward one another), be patient with one another,

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if anyone may have a quarrel with anyone, as the Christ also forgave you—so also you;

and tolerate one another’s flaws. Forgive one another, if one of you has a grudge/complaint against another. Just like the Lord [Jesus freely/willingly] forgave you, you too [must freely/willingly forgive one another].

14 and above all these things, [have] love, which is a bond of the perfection,

And what is more important than all of these is that you love one another, because by doing that you will be perfectly united together.

15 and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which you were also called in one body, and become thankful.

Because God chose you to live peacefully [with one another] in your local congregations, let that peace which Christ gives control your (inner beings/hearts), and be constantly thanking God.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing each other, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to the LORD;

And continue to let the message about Christ govern/direct all you think and do, as you very wisely teach and warn one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs (OR, songs that God’s Spirit [gives you]), while you sincerely and thankfully sing to God.

17 and all, whatever you may do in word or in work, [do] all things in the Name of the Lord Jesus—giving thanks to the God and Father, through Him.

Whatever you say, and whatever you do, do all of this in the manner that those who are representatives [MTY] of the Lord Jesus [should do], while you constantly thank God, our Father, as you ask the Lord Jesus to take your prayers to God.

18 The wives: be subject to your own husbands, as is fit in the LORD;

You women, be subject to your husbands, since that is what you should do because you have a close relationship with the Lord [Jesus].

19 the husbands: love your wives, and do not be bitter with them;

You men, love your wives; and, do not be harsh with them.

20 the children: obey the parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the LORD;

You children, obey your parents in every circumstance, because the Lord [God] is pleased when you do that.

21 the fathers: do not distress your children, lest they be discouraged;

You parents (OR, you fathers), do not correct your children more than you need to, in order that they do not become discouraged.

22 the servants: obey those who are masters in all things according to the flesh, not in eye-service as men-pleasers, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God;

You slaves, obey your earthly masters in every circumstance. Do not obey your masters only when they are watching [MTY] you, like those who [merely] want to impress their masters favorably. Instead, obey your masters sincerely. Do this because you reverence the Lord [Jesus] (OR, [God]).

23 and all, whatever you may do—out of soul work—as to the LORD, and not to men,

Whatever [work] you do, work wholeheartedly. Work wholeheartedly, like those who are working for the Lord [Jesus]. Do not work like those who are working [merely] for [their] masters,

24 having known that you will receive the repayment of the inheritance from the LORD—for you serve the LORD Christ;

because you know that it is the Lord who will [properly/justly] repay you. That is, you will receive what God has promised. [Remember that] it is Christ who is the real master whom you are serving.

25 and he who is doing unrighteously will receive what he did unrighteously, and there is no favor by appearance.

But [God] will judge everyone impartially. He will punish you according to what you have done that is wrong.