Colossians 2:16-4:5

New International Version

Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(A) by what you eat or drink,^(B) or with regard to a religious festival,^(C) a New Moon celebration^(D) or a Sabbath day.^{(E) 17} These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(F) the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility^(G) and the worship of angels disqualify you.^(H) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head,^(I) from whom the whole body,^(J) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(K)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(L) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(M) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(N) 21} “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(O) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(P) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(Q) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,^(R) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(S) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(T) 3} For you died,^(U) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life,^(V) appears,^(W) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(X)

⁵ Put to death,^(Y) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(Z) sexual immorality,^(AA) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(AB) which is idolatry.^{(AC) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(AD) is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(AE) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(AF) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(AG) and filthy language from your lips.^{(AH) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(AI) since you have taken off your old self^(AJ) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(AK) which is being renewed^(AL) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(AM) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(AN) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(AO) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(AP) but Christ is all,^(AQ) and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves^(AR) with compassion, kindness, humility,^(AS) gentleness and patience.^{(AT) 13} Bear with each other^(AU) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.^{(AV) 14} And over all these virtues put on love,^(AW) which binds them all together in perfect unity.^(AX)

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(AY) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(AZ) you were called to peace.^(BA) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(BB) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(BC) through psalms,^(BD) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(BE) 17} And whatever you do,^(BF) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(BG) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households^(BH)

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,^(BI) 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 inheritance^(BJ) from the Lord as a reward.^(BK) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.^(BL)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,^(BM) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(BN) being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(BO) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(BP) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^{(BQ) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise^(BR) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(BS) make the most of every opportunity.^(BT)