Colossians 3
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t You have been raised to life with Christ, so set your hearts on the things that are in heaven, where Christ sits on his throne at the right side of God. 2 Keep your minds fixed on things there, not on things here on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 Your real life is Christ and when he appears, then you too will appear with him and share his glory!
The Old Life and the New
5 You must put to death, then, the earthly desires at work in you, such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry). 6 Because of such things God's anger will come upon those who do not obey him. t 7 At one time you yourselves used to live according to such desires, when your life was dominated by them.
8 But now you must get rid of all these things: anger, passion, and hateful feelings. No insults or obscene talk must ever come from your lips. 9 t Do not lie to one another, for you have put off the old self with its habits 10 t and have put on the new self. This is the new being which God, its Creator, is constantly renewing in his own image, in order to bring you to a full knowledge of himself. 11 As a result, there is no longer any distinction between Gentiles and Jews, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarians, savages, slaves, and free, but Christ is all, Christ is in all.
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t You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 t Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. 14 And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. 15 The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. 16 t Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. 17 Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.
Personal Relations in the New Life
18 t Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, for that is what you should do as Christians.
19 t Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 t Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God.
21 t Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 t Slaves, obey your human masters in all things, not only when they are watching you because you want to gain their approval; but do it with a sincere heart because of your reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for people. 24 Remember that the Lord will give you as a reward what he has kept for his people. For Christ is the real Master you serve. 25 t And all wrongdoers will be repaid for the wrong things they do, because God judges everyone by the same standard.
Colossians 3
1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.3 For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.5 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;6 for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience:7 wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things;8 but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth:9 lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings,10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him:11 where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering;13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as the Lord forgave you, so also do ye:14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God.17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord.21 Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged.22 Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord:23 whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men;24 knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ.25 For he that doeth wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.