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.’

If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

2 Fix your thoughts upon the things that are above, not upon those that are on earth.

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

3 For you died, and your Life now lies hidden, with the Christ, in God.

For ye died, and your life is hid 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] our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested 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 your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

6 These are the things on account of which the Wrath of God comes,

for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience:

7 and to which you, like others, once devoted your lives, when you lived for them.

wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things;

8 You, however, must now lay aside all such things — anger, passion, malice, slander, abuse.

but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:

9 Never lie to one another. Get rid of your old self and its habits,

lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,

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 man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:

11 In that new life there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, freeman; but Christ is all! — and in all!

where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Therefore, as God’s People, consecrated and dear to him, clothe yourselves with tenderness of heart, kindliness, humility, gentleness, forbearance;

Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;

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.

forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:

14 Over all these virtues put on love; for that is the girdle which makes all complete.

and above all these things [put on] love, which is the bond of perfectness.

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.

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.

16 Let the Message of the Christ dwell 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 dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms [and] hymns [and] spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto 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 whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, [do] 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, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and never treat them harshly.

Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against 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 all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.

21 Fathers, never irritate your children, lest they should become disheartened.

Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.

22 Slaves, always obey your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you, as if you had but to please men, but giving them ungrudging service, in your reverence for the Master.

Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:

23 Whatever you do, do it with all your heart, as if working for the Master and not for men,

whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;

24 since you know that it is from the Master that you will receive the inheritance which will be your recompense. You are serving Christ, the Master.

knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 Those who do wrong will reap the wrong they have done; and there will be no partiality.

For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.