Colossians 3

1 If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on 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 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on 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 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, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

When the Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5 Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Therefore destroy all that is earthly in you – immorality, uncleanness, passions, evil desires, and that greed which is idolatry.

6 For these things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

These are the things because of which the wrath of God comes,

7 You also once walked in those, when you lived in them,

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

8 but now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

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

9 Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

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

10 and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

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 where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, or free person; 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 God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

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 each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

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 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond 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 rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in 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 word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart 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 Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through 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 in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Wives, submit to your husbands, as befits those who belong to the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.

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

20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

Children, always obey your parents; for that is pleasant to see in those who belong to the Lord.

21 Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

Fathers, never irritate your children, otherwise they might become disheartened.

22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.

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 And whatever you do, work heartily, as 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 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you 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 who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

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