Colossians 3
1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is sitting on the right hand of God.
So if you've been brought back to life with Christ, look for what comes from above, where Christ is, sitting at God's right hand.
2 Set your mind on the things above, not on things on the earth.
Fix your mind on what's above, not what's here on earth.
3 For ye died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God;
You died, and your life is kept safe with Christ in God.
4 when Christ, our life, shall be manifested, then will ye also be manifested with him in glory.
When Christ—your life—is revealed, then you will also share in his visible glory.
5 Make dead therefore your members which are upon the earth, fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;
So kill your worldly nature—sexual sin, immorality, lust, evil desires, greedily wanting to have more—this is the worship of idols.
6 on account of which things cometh the wrath of God.
Because of such things, those who disobey experience God's judgment.
7 In which things ye also once walked, when ye lived in them;
At one time you lived like that when you behaved in such a way,
8 but now put ye away all these, anger, wrath, malice, evil-speaking, filthy language out of your mouth.
but now you should get rid of such things as anger, rage, wickedness, abuse, and using obscenities.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds,
Don't lie to each other, since you've discarded your old self and what you used to do,
10 and have put on the new man, who is renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him;
and put on your new self that is always being made more like your Creator, understanding better who he really is.
11 where there is no Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.
In this new situation there's no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, foreigner, barbarian, slave or free, for Christ is everything, and he lives in all of us.
12 Clothe yourselves, therefore, as the chosen of God, holy and beloved, with compassionate affections, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
Since you are God's special people, holy and dearly loved, adopt a sympathetic nature that is kind, humble, gentle, and patient.
13 bearing with each other, and forgiving each other, if any one have a complaint against another; even as Christ freely forgave you, do ye also freely forgive;
Be patient with one another, forgive others among you if you have grievances against one another. Just as the Lord forgave you, you should do the same.
14 and over all these things put on the robe of love, which is the bond of perfectness;
Above all, love one another, which is the perfect bond that will hold you together.
15 and let the peace of Christ, to which ye were called in one body, rule in your hearts; and be ye thankful.
May the peace of Christ direct your thinking, because you were called to this by God who makes you one, and thank God for it!
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, spiritual songs, in grace singing in your hearts to God;
Let Christ's message fully live in you. In every wise way teach and instruct one another through psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing praises to God in gratitude and sincerity.
17 and whatever ye do, in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God, the Father, through him.
Whatever you do, whether in word or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, praising God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
You married women, respect your husbands appropriately in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
You married men, love your wives and don't treat them badly.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.
You children, always do what your parents tell you because this is what pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children, lest they be discouraged.
You fathers, don't make your children mad, so they won't feel like giving up.
22 Bond-servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord.
Those of you who are servants, do everything your human masters tell you, not with just an eye to please them, but honestly and sincerely, respecting the Lord.
23 Whatever ye do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men,
Do whatever you do really well, as if you're doing it for God, and not for people,
24 knowing that from the Lord ye will receive the recompense of the inheritance; serve Christ as your Lord.
because you know that the Lord will give you your reward—an inheritance! You're serving Christ the Lord!
25 For he that doeth wrong, shall receive back the wrong which he hath done; and there is no respect of persons.
Whoever does what's wrong will be paid back for the wrong they've done, and God has no favorites.
