Colossians 3-4

Christian Standard Bible

The Life of the New Man

3 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.^{(A) 2} Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.^{(B) 3} For you died,^(C) and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ, who is your^[a] life, appears,^(D) then you also will appear with him in glory.^(E)

⁵ Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity,^(F) lust,^(G) evil desire, and greed,^(H) which is idolatry.^{(I) 6} Because of these, God’s wrath^(J) is coming upon the disobedient,^{[b] 7} and you once walked in these things when you were living^(K) in them. ⁸ But now, put away^(L) all the following: anger,^(M) wrath,^(N) malice,^(O) slander,^(P) and filthy language from your mouth.^{(Q) 9} Do not lie^(R) to one another, since you have put off^(S) the old self^(T) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on^(U) the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your^[c] Creator.^{(V) 11} In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.^(W)

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved,^(X) put on compassion, kindness,^(Y) humility,^(Z) gentleness,^(AA) and patience,^{(AB) 13} bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.^{(AC) 14} Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called^(AD) in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,^[d] singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name^(AE) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christ in Your Home

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.^{(AF) 19} Husbands,^(AG) love your wives^(AH) and don’t be bitter^(AI) toward them. ²⁰ Children,^(AJ) obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers,^(AK) do not exasperate^(AL) your children, so that they won’t become discouraged. ²² Slaves, obey your human^(AM) masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.^{(AN) 23} Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,^{(AO) 24} knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer^(AP) will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

4 Masters,^(AQ) deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

Speaking to God and Others

² Devote yourselves^(AR) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door^(AS) to us for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ,^(AT) for which I am in chains,^{(AU) 4} so that I may make it known as I should. ⁵ Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.^{(AV) 6} Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,^(AW) so that you may know how you should answer each person.^(AX)

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus,^(AY) our dearly loved brother, faithful^(AZ) minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. ⁸ I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are^[e] and so that he may encourage^(BA) your hearts.^{(BB) 9} He is coming with Onesimus,^(BC) a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you greetings, as does Mark,^(BD) Barnabas’s^(BE) cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), ¹¹ and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcised are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(BF) who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. He is always wrestling^(BG) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured^[f] in everything God wills.^{(BH) 13} For I testify about him that he works hard^[g](BI) for you, for those in Laodicea,^(BJ) and for those in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas^(BK) send you greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.^{(BL) 16} After this letter has been read at your gathering, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And tell Archippus,^(BM) “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it.”^(BN)

¹⁸ I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains.^(BO) Grace be with you.^[h](BP)