Colossians 3:18–4:1

Rules for Christian Families

¹⁸Wives, follow the lead of your husbands. That’s what the Lord wants you to do.

¹⁹Husbands, love your wives. Don’t be mean to them.

²⁰Children, obey your parents in everything. That pleases the Lord.

²¹Fathers, don’t make your children bitter. If you do, they will lose hope.

²²Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything. Don’t do it just to please them when they are watching you. Obey them with an honest heart. Do it out of respect for the Lord.

²³Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord, not for human masters. ²⁴Work because you know that you will finally receive as a reward what the Lord wants you to have. You are serving the Lord Christ.

²⁵Anyone who does wrong will be paid back for what he does. God treats everyone the same.

4Masters, give your slaves what is right and fair. Do it because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.