Colossians 3
1 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.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 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],
Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 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].
For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 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.
When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
5 [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).
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 [Do not behave like that] since God will punish [MTY] those who disobey him, because of their sins.
For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
7 You also formerly did those things when you were disobeying God.
In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 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.
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 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,
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
10 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.
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
11 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.
Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
12 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,
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
13 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].
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
14 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.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
15 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.
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
16 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.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 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.
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
18 You women, be subject to your husbands, since that is what you should do because you have a close relationship with the Lord [Jesus].
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
19 You men, love your wives; and, do not be harsh with them.
Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 You children, obey your parents in every circumstance, because the Lord [God] is pleased when you do that.
Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.
21 You parents (OR, you fathers), do not correct your children more than you need to, in order that they do not become discouraged.
Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
22 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]).
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
23 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,
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
24 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.
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But [God] will judge everyone impartially. He will punish you according to what you have done that is wrong.
But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
