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.

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.

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

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],

3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

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].

4 When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

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.

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

[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).

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

[Do not behave like that] since God will punish [MTY] those who disobey him, because of their sins.

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

You also formerly did those things when you were disobeying God.

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

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.

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

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,

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

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.

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.

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.

12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

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,

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.

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].

14 Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

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.

15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

You women, be subject to your husbands, since that is what you should do because you have a close relationship with the Lord [Jesus].

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

You men, love your wives; and, do not be harsh with them.

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

You children, obey your parents in every circumstance, because the Lord [God] is pleased when you do that.

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

You parents (OR, you fathers), do not correct your children more than you need to, in order that they do not become discouraged.

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.

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]).

23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

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,

24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

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.

25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

But [God] will judge everyone impartially. He will punish you according to what you have done that is wrong.