Colossians 3-4

New International Version

Living as Those Made Alive in Christ

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

⁵ Put to death,^(H) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(I) sexual immorality,^(J) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(K) which is idolatry.^{(L) 6} Because of these, the wrath of God^(M) is coming.^{[b] 7} You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.^{(N) 8} But now you must also rid yourselves^(O) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,^(P) and filthy language from your lips.^{(Q) 9} Do not lie to each other,^(R) since you have taken off your old self^(S) with its practices ¹⁰ and have put on the new self,^(T) which is being renewed^(U) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.^{(V) 11} Here there is no Gentile or Jew,^(W) circumcised or uncircumcised,^(X) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,^(Y) but Christ is all,^(Z) and is in all.

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

¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ^(AH) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body^(AI) you were called to peace.^(AJ) And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ^(AK) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom^(AL) through psalms,^(AM) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.^{(AN) 17} And whatever you do,^(AO) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks^(AP) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households^(AQ)

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

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

Further Instructions

² Devote yourselves to prayer,^(AW) being watchful and thankful. ³ And pray for us, too, that God may open a door^(AX) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery^(AY) of Christ, for which I am in chains.^{(AZ) 4} Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. ⁵ Be wise^(BA) in the way you act toward outsiders;^(BB) make the most of every opportunity.^{(BC) 6} Let your conversation be always full of grace,^(BD) seasoned with salt,^(BE) so that you may know how to answer everyone.^(BF)

Final Greetings

⁷ Tychicus^(BG) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant^[d](BH) in the Lord. ⁸ I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[e] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.^{(BI) 9} He is coming with Onesimus,^(BJ) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.^(BK) They will tell you everything that is happening here.

¹⁰ My fellow prisoner Aristarchus^(BL) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,^(BM) the cousin of Barnabas.^(BN) (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) ¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews^[f] among my co-workers^(BO) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. ¹² Epaphras,^(BP) who is one of you^(BQ) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,^(BR) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature^(BS) and fully assured. ¹³ I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea^(BT) and Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Our dear friend Luke,^(BU) the doctor, and Demas^(BV) send greetings. ¹⁵ Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,^(BW) and to Nympha and the church in her house.^(BX)

¹⁶ After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read^(BY) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.

¹⁷ Tell Archippus:^(BZ) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”^(CA)

¹⁸ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(CB) Remember^(CC) my chains.^(CD) Grace be with you.^(CE)