Colossians 3
1 If however you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, enthroned at God's right hand.
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.
2 Give your minds to the things that are above, not to the things that are on the earth.
Fix your thoughts on the things that are above, not on those that are on earth.
3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
For you died, and your life now lies hidden, with the Christ, in God.
4 When Christ appears--He is our true Life--then you also will appear with Him in glory.
When the Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Therefore put to death your earthward inclinations--fornication, impurity, sensual passion, unholy desire, and all greed, for that is a form of idolatry.
Therefore destroy all that is earthly in you – immorality, uncleanness, passions, evil desires, and that greed which is idolatry.
6 It is on account of these very sins that God's anger is coming,
These are the things because of which the wrath of God comes,
7 and you also were once addicted to them, while you were living under their power.
and to which you, like others, once devoted your lives, when you lived for them.
8 But now you must rid yourselves of every kind of sin--angry and passionate outbreaks, ill-will, evil speaking, foul-mouthed abuse--so that these may never soil your lips.
You, however, must now lay aside all such things – anger, passion, malice, slander, abuse.
9 Do not speak falsehoods to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its doings,
Never lie to one another. Get rid of your old self and its habits,
10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self which is being remoulded into full knowledge so as to become like Him who created it.
and clothe yourselves with that new self, which, as it gains in knowledge, is being constantly renewed in resemblance to him who made it.
11 In that new creation there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free man, but Christ is everything and is in all of us.
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!
12 Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own people holy and dearly loved, with tender-heartedness, kindness, lowliness of mind, meekness, long-suffering;
Therefore, as God’s people, consecrated and dear to him, clothe yourselves with tenderness of heart, kindliness, humility, gentleness, forbearance;
13 bearing with one another and readily forgiving each other, if any one has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also must forgive.
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.
14 And over all these put on love, which is the perfect bond of union;
Over all these virtues put on love; for that is the belt which makes all complete.
15 and let the peace which Christ gives settle all questionings in your hearts, to which peace indeed you were called as belonging to His one Body; and be thankful.
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.
16 Let the teaching concerning Christ remain as a rich treasure in your hearts. In all wisdom teach and admonish one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and sing with grace in your hearts to God.
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.
17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, and let it be through Him that you give thanks to God the Father.
And, whatever you say or do, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus; and through him offer thanksgiving to God the father.
18 Married women, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as befits those who belong to the Lord.
19 Married men, be affectionate to your wives, and do not treat them harshly.
Husbands, love your wives, and never treat them harshly.
20 Children be obedient to your parents in everything; for that is right for Christians.
Children, always obey your parents; for that is pleasant to see in those who belong to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not fret and harass your children, or you may make them sullen and morose.
Fathers, never irritate your children, otherwise they might become disheartened.
22 Slaves, be obedient in everything to your earthly masters; not in acts of eye service, as aiming only to please men, but with simplicity of purpose, because you fear the Lord.
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.
23 Whatever you are doing, let your hearts be in your work, as a thing done for the Lord and not for men.
Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as if working for the Master and not for people,
24 For you know that it is from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Christ is the Master whose bondservants you are.
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.
25 The man who perpetrates a wrong will find the wrong repaid to him; and with God there are no merely earthly distinctions.
Those who do wrong will reap the wrong they have done; and there will be no partiality.
