Colossians 3:1–25
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,u set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.v 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.w 3 For you died,x and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is youra life,y appears,z then you also will appear with him in glory.a
5 Put to death,b therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:c sexual immorality,d impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,e which is idolatry.f 6 Because of these, the wrath of Godg is coming.b 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.h 8 But now you must also rid yourselvesi of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,j and filthy language from your lips.k 9 Do not lie to each other,l since you have taken off your old selfm with its practices 10 and have put on the new self,n which is being renewedo in knowledge in the image of its Creator.p 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew,q circumcised or uncircumcised,r barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,s but Christ is all,t and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselvesu with compassion, kindness, humility,v gentleness and patience.w 13 Bear with each otherx and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.y 14 And over all these virtues put on love,z which binds them all together in perfect unity.a
15 Let the peace of Christb rule in your hearts, since as members of one bodyc you were called to peace.d And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christe dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdomf through psalms,g hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.h 17 And whatever you do,i whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanksj to God the Father through him.
Instructions for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,k as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers,c do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritancel from the Lord as a reward.m It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.n