Colossians 3
1 Since, therefore, you were raised to life with the Christ, seek for the things that are above; for it is there that the Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Fix your thoughts on the things that are above, not on those that are on earth.
Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died, and your life now lies hidden, with the Christ, in God.
For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When the Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
5 Therefore destroy all that is earthly in you – immorality, uncleanness, passions, evil desires, and that greed which is idolatry.
Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.
6 These are the things because of which the wrath of God comes,
Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
7 and to which you, like others, once devoted your lives, when you lived for them.
When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways.
8 You, however, must now lay aside all such things – anger, passion, malice, slander, abuse.
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Never lie to one another. Get rid of your old self and its habits,
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,
10 and clothe yourselves with that new self, which, as it gains in knowledge, is being constantly renewed in resemblance to him who made it.
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 In that new life there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all! – and in all!
Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is all and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s people, consecrated and dear to him, clothe yourselves with tenderness of heart, kindliness, humility, gentleness, forbearance;
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
13 bearing with one another, and, when there is any ground for complaint, forgiving one another freely. As the Master freely forgave you, so you must forgive one another.
Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14 Over all these virtues put on love; for that is the belt which makes all complete.
And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
15 Let the peace that the Christ gives decide all doubts within your hearts; for you also were called to the enjoyment of peace as members of one body. And show yourselves thankful.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.
16 Let the message of the Christ be alive in your minds in all its wealth, bringing all wisdom with it. Teach and admonish one another with psalms, and hymns, and sacred songs, full of the loving kindness of God, lifting your hearts in song to him.
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17 And, whatever you say or do, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus; and through him offer thanksgiving to God the father.
And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as befits those who belong to the Lord.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and never treat them harshly.
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, always obey your parents; for that is pleasant to see in those who belong to the Lord.
Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, never irritate your children, otherwise they might become disheartened.
Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.
22 Slaves, always obey your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you, as if you had but to please people alone, but giving them ungrudging service, in your respect for the Master.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.
23 Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as if working for the Master and not for people,
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men,
24 since you know that it is from the Master that you will receive the inheritance which will be your reward. You are serving Christ, the Master.
because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
25 Those who do wrong will reap the wrong they have done; and there will be no partiality.
Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
