Colossians 3

1 Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah, ^{a3:1 Or Christ} keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah ^{b3:1 Or Christ} is seated at the right hand of God.ISV — Colossians 3:1

2 Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.ISV — Colossians 3:2

3 For you have died, and your life has been safely guarded by the Messiah ^{c3:3 Or Christ} in God.ISV — Colossians 3:3

4 When the Messiah, ^{d3:4 Or Christ} who is ^{e3:4 The Gk. lacks who is} your ^{f3:4 Other mss. read our} life, is revealed, then you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.ISV — Colossians 3:4

5 So put to death your worldly impulses: ^{g3:5 Lit. the parts that are on the earth} sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).ISV — Colossians 3:5

6 It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. ^{h3:6 Lit. on the sons of disobedience}ISV — Colossians 3:6

7 You used to behave like them as you lived among them.ISV — Colossians 3:7

8 But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins.ISV — Colossians 3:8

9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old nature with its practicesISV — Colossians 3:9

10 and have clothed yourselves with the new nature, which is being renewed in full knowledge, consistent with the image of the one who created it.ISV — Colossians 3:10

11 In him ^{i3:11 Lit. it, where} there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, ^{j3:11 i.e. uncivilized person} slave, or free person. Instead, the Messiah ^{k3:11 Or Christ} is all and in all.ISV — Colossians 3:11

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, ^{l3:12 Or gentleness} and patience.ISV — Colossians 3:12

13 Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord ^{m3:13 Other mss. read the Messiah} has forgiven you, you also should forgive. ^{n3:13 Lit. so you also}ISV — Colossians 3:13

14 Above all, clothe yourselves with ^{o3:14 The Gk. lacks clothe yourselves with} love, which ties everything together in unity.ISV — Colossians 3:14

15 Let the peace of the Messiah ^{p3:15 Or Christ} also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful.ISV — Colossians 3:15

16 Let the word of the Messiah ^{q3:16 Or Christ; other mss. read of God; still other mss. read of the Lord} inhabit you richly with wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and singing to God with thankfulness in your hearts.ISV — Colossians 3:16

17 And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.ISV — Colossians 3:17

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord.ISV — Colossians 3:18

19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with ^{r3:19 Or bitter toward} them.ISV — Colossians 3:19

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.ISV — Colossians 3:20

21 Fathers, do not make your children resentful. Otherwise, they’ll become discouraged.ISV — Colossians 3:21

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched in order to please them, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.ISV — Colossians 3:22

23 Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it ^{s3:23 The Gk. lacks though you were doing it} for the Lord and not merely for people.ISV — Colossians 3:23

24 You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Messiah ^{t3:24 Or Christ} whom you are serving!ISV — Colossians 3:24

25 For the person who does what is wrong will be paid back for what he has done without favoritism.ISV — Colossians 3:25