Colossians 3:18-4:6

English Standard Version

Rules for Christian Households

^18 (A)Wives, submit to your husbands, as ^(B)is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and ^(C)do not be harsh with them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents ^(D)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey ^(E)in everything those who are your earthly masters,^[a] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ^23 (F)Whatever you do, work heartily, ^(G)as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ^(H)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. ^(I)You are serving the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

4 Masters, treat your bondservants^[b] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

^2 (J)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it ^(K)with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may ^(L)open to us a door for the word, ^(M)to declare the mystery of Christ, ^(N)on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

^5 (O)Walk in wisdom toward ^(P)outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always ^(Q)be gracious, ^(R)seasoned with salt, ^(S)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.