Colossians 2:8-4:10

English Standard Version

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by ^(A)philosophy and ^(B)empty deceit, according to ^(C)human tradition, according to the ^(D)elemental spirits^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ. ⁹ For ^(E)in him the whole fullness of deity dwells ^(F)bodily, ¹⁰ and ^(G)you have been filled in him, who is ^(H)the head of all rule and authority. ¹¹ In him also ^(I)you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by ^(J)putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, ^12 (K)having been buried with him in baptism, in which ^(L)you were also raised with him through faith in ^(M)the powerful working of God, ^(N)who raised him from the dead. ^13 (O)And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God ^(P)made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, ¹⁴ by ^(Q)canceling ^(R)the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ^15 (S)He disarmed the rulers and authorities^[b] and ^(T)put them to open shame, by ^(U)triumphing over them in him.^[c]

Let No One Disqualify You

¹⁶ Therefore let no one ^(V)pass judgment on you ^(W)in questions of food and drink, or with regard to ^(X)a festival or ^(Y)a new moon or a Sabbath. ^17 (Z)These are a shadow of the things to come, but ^(AA)the substance belongs to Christ. ¹⁸ Let no one ^(AB)disqualify you, ^(AC)insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, ^(AD)going on in detail about visions,^{[d] (AE)}puffed up without reason by ^(AF)his sensuous mind, ¹⁹ and ^(AG)not ^(AH)holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

²⁰ If with Christ ^(AI)you died to the ^(AJ)elemental spirits of the world, ^(AK)why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ^21 (AL)“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ²² (^(AM)referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to ^(AN)human precepts and teachings? ²³ These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in ^(AO)promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are ^(AP)of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

Put On the New Self

3 ^(AQ)If then you have been raised with Christ, seek ^(AR)the things that are above, where Christ is, ^(AS)seated at the right hand of God. ^2 (AT)Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. ³ For ^(AU)you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ ^(AV)who is your^[e] life ^(AW)appears, then you also will appear with him ^(AX)in glory.

^5 (AY)Put to death therefore ^(AZ)what is earthly in you:^{[f] (BA)}sexual immorality, impurity, ^(BB)passion, evil desire, and covetousness, ^(BC)which is idolatry. ^6 (BD)On account of these the wrath of God is coming.^{[g] 7 (BE)}In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now ^(BF)you must put them all away: ^(BG)anger, wrath, malice, ^(BH)slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ^9 (BI)Do not lie to one another, seeing that ^(BJ)you have put off ^(BK)the old self^[h] with its practices ¹⁰ and ^(BL)have put on ^(BM)the new self, ^(BN)which is being renewed in knowledge ^(BO)after the image of ^(BP)its creator. ^11 (BQ)Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,^[i] free; but Christ is ^(BR)all, and in all.

^12 (BS)Put on then, as ^(BT)God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, ^(BU)compassionate hearts, ^(BV)kindness, ^(BW)humility, meekness, and patience, ^13 (BX)bearing with one another and, ^(BY)if one has a complaint against another, ^(BZ)forgiving each other; ^(CA)as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on ^(CB)love, which ^(CC)binds everything together in ^(CD)perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let ^(CE)the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called ^(CF)in one body. And ^(CG)be thankful. ¹⁶ Let ^(CH)the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, ^(CI)singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ^(CJ)with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And ^(CK)whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(CL)giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households

^18 (CM)Wives, submit to your husbands, as ^(CN)is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and ^(CO)do not be harsh with them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents ^(CP)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey ^(CQ)in everything those who are your earthly masters,^[j] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ^23 (CR)Whatever you do, work heartily, ^(CS)as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ^(CT)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. ^(CU)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^[k] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

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

^5 (DA)Walk in wisdom toward ^(DB)outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always ^(DC)be gracious, ^(DD)seasoned with salt, ^(DE)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus will tell you ^(DF)all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant^[l] in the Lord. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, ⁹ and with him ^(DG)Onesimus, our faithful and ^(DH)beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

^10 (DI)Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark ^(DJ)the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—^(DK)if he comes to you, welcome him),