Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, (A)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, (B)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 (C)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 (D)But above all these things (E)put on love, which is the (F)bond of perfection. 15 And let (G)the peace of God rule in your hearts, (H)to which also you were called (I)in one body; and (J)be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another (K)in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And (L)whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

The Christian Home(M)

18 (N)Wives, submit to your own husbands, (O)as is fitting in the Lord.

19 (P)Husbands, love your wives and do not be (Q)bitter toward them.

20 (R)Children, obey your parents (S)in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.

21 (T)Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22 (U)Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. 23 (V)And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, 24 (W)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; (X)for[a] you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and (Y)there is no partiality.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:24 NU omits for

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(A) with compassion, kindness, humility,(B) gentleness and patience.(C) 13 Bear with each other(D) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(E) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(F) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(G)

15 Let the peace of Christ(H) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(I) you were called to peace.(J) And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ(K) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(L) through psalms,(M) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(N) 17 And whatever you do,(O) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks(P) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households(Q)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(R) 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,[a] 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 inheritance(S) from the Lord as a reward.(T) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents