Colossians 3

1 Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God:2 Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth.3 For you are dead; and your life is hid with Christ in God.4 When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory.5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is the service of idols.6 For which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of unbelief,7 In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.8 But now put you also all away: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech out of your mouth.9 Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds,10 And putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of him that created him.11 Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all, and in all.12 Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience:13 Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.14 But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:15 And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God.17 All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it behoveth in the Lord.19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter towards them.20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing to the Lord.21 Fathers, provoke not your children to indignation, lest they be discouraged.22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not serving to the eye, as pleasing men, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God.23 Whatsoever you do, do it from the heart, as to the Lord, and not to men:24 Knowing that you shall receive of the Lord the reward of inheritance. Serve ye the Lord Christ.25 For he that doth wrong, shall receive for that which he hath done wrongfully: and there is no respect of persons with God.

Colossians 3

Exhortations to Seek the Things Above

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.2 Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth,3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.4 When Christ (who is yours life) appears, then you too will be revealed in glory with him.5 So put to death whatever in your nature belongs to the earth:t sexual immorality, impurity, shameful passion,t evil desire, and greed which is idolatry.6 Because of these things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.ss7 You also lived your livest in this way at one time, when you used to live among them.8 But now, put off all such thingst as anger, rage, malice, slander, abusive language from your mouth.9 Do not lie to one another since you have put off the old man with its practices10 and have been clothed with the new mans that is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one who created it.

11 Here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slavet or free, but Christ is all and in all.

Exhortation to Unity and Love

12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with a heart of mercy,t kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience,13 bearing with one another and forgivingt one another, if someone happens to havet a complaint against anyone else. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also forgive others.t14 And to all theset virtuest addt love, which is the perfect bond.t15 Let the peace of Christ be in control in your heart (for you were in fact called as one bodyt to this peace), and be thankful.16 Let the word of Christs dwell in you richly, teaching and exhorting one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, all with gracet in your hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, submit to yourt husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord.21 Fathers,t do not provoket your children, so they will not become disheartened.22 Slaves,t obey your earthlyt masters in every respect, not only when they are watching – like those who are strictly people-pleasers – but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.23 Whatever you are doing,t work at it with enthusiasm,t as to the Lord and not for people,t24 because you know that you will receive yourt inheritancet from the Lord as the reward. Servet the Lord Christ.25 For the one who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong,ts and there are no exceptions.t