< Colossians 3 >

1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.
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 Mind the things above, not those on the earth.
Fix your thoughts on the things that are above, not on those that are on earth.
3 For ye are dead as to the world, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
For you died, and your life now lies hidden, with the Christ, in God.
4 When Christ, who is your life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory.
When the Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members that are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, disorderly passion, evil concupiscence, and insatiable desire, which is indeed idolatry:
Therefore destroy all that is earthly in you – immorality, uncleanness, passions, evil desires, and that greed which is idolatry.
6 for which things the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience.
These are the things because of which the wrath of God comes,
7 In which ye also formerly walked, when ye lived among them.
and to which you, like others, once devoted your lives, when you lived for them.
8 But now put away all these also, wrath, animosity, malice, calumny, and filthy discourse out of your mouth.
You, however, must now lay aside all such things – anger, passion, malice, slander, abuse.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing ye have put off the old man with his evil practices;
Never lie to one another. Get rid of your old self and its habits,
10 and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of Him that created him.
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 Wherein there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free: but Christ is all and in all.
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 Put on therefore, as the elect of God holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, benignity, humbleness 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 forgiving one another, if any one has a complaint against any: even as Christ hath forgiven you, so also do ye.
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 above all these put on love, which is the band of perfection.
Over all these virtues put on love; for that is the belt which makes all complete.
15 And let the peace of God preside in your hearts, to which ye are also called as united in one body: and be thankful for it.
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 word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another by psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude singing in your hearts to the Lord.
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 whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to our God and Father by Him.
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 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as becometh you in the Lord:
Wives, submit to your husbands, as befits those who belong to the Lord.
19 and ye husbands, love your wives, and be not embittered against them.
Husbands, love your wives, and never treat them harshly.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things; for this is well-pleasing to the Lord:
Children, always obey your parents; for that is pleasant to see in those who belong to the Lord.
21 and ye fathers, do not irritate your children, least they be discouraged.
Fathers, never irritate your children, otherwise they might become disheartened.
22 Servants, be obedient in all things to your lawful masters, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but in uprightness of heart, fearing God; and whatever service ye do,
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 do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not to men;
Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as if working for the Master and not for people,
24 knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Christ;
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 but he that doth unjustly, shall receive for what wrong he hath done; and there is no respect of persons with God:
Those who do wrong will reap the wrong they have done; and there will be no partiality.

< Colossians 3 >