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So if you were raised along with the Messiah, then seek the things above, where the Messiah is sitting at the right hand of God.[a] Focus your minds on the things above, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When the Messiah, who is our life, appears, then you too will appear with him in glory!

Therefore, put to death the earthly parts of your nature — sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed (which is a form of idolatry); for it is because of these things that God’s anger is coming on those who disobey him. True enough, you used to practice these things in the life you once lived; but now, put them all away — anger, exasperation, meanness, slander and obscene talk. Never lie to one another; because you have stripped away the old self, with its ways, 10 and have put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge, closer and closer to the image of its Creator. 11 The new self allows no room for discriminating between Gentile and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, foreigner, savage, slave, free man; on the contrary, in all, the Messiah is everything.

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.

14 Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; 15 and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart’s decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body.

And be thankful — 16 let the Word of the Messiah, in all its richness, live in you, as you teach and counsel each other in all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude to God in your hearts. 17 That is, everything you do or say, do in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

18 Wives, subject yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and don’t treat them harshly.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything; for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers, don’t irritate your children and make them resentful, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your human masters in everything, not serving only when they are watching you, to win their favor, but single-heartedly, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever work you do, put yourself into it, as those who are serving not merely other people, but the Lord. 24 Remember that as your reward, you will receive the inheritance from the Lord. You are slaving for the Lord, for the Messiah. 25 Don’t worry — whoever is doing wrong will be paid in kind for his wrong, and there is no favoritism shown.

Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly. Remember that you too have a Master in heaven.

Keep persisting in prayer, staying alert in it and being thankful. Include prayer for us, too, that God may open a door for us to proclaim the message about the secret of the Messiah — for that is why I am in prison. And pray that I may speak, as I should, in a way that makes the message clear.

Behave wisely toward outsiders, making full use of every opportunity — let your conversation always be gracious and interesting, so that you will know how to respond to any particular individual.

Our dear brother Tychicus, who is a faithful worker and fellow-slave in the Lord, will give you all the news about me. I have sent him to you for this very reason — so that you might know how we are, and so that he might encourage you. I have sent him with Onesimus, the dear and faithful brother, who is one of you; they will tell you everything that has happened here.

10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends greetings, as does Mark, Bar-Nabba’s cousin, concerning whom you have received instructions — if he comes to you, welcome him. 11 Yeshua, the one called Justus, also sends greetings. These three are among the Circumcised; and among my fellow workers for the Kingdom of God, only they have turned out to be a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras sends greetings; he is one of you, a slave of the Messiah Yeshua who always agonizes in his prayer on your behalf, praying that you may stand firm, mature and fully confident, as you devote yourselves completely to God’s will. 13 For I can testify to him that he works hard for you and for those in Laodicea and Hierapolis.

14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send you greetings.

15 Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, also to Nympha and the congregation that meets in her home. 16 After this letter has been read to you, have it read also in the congregation of the Laodiceans; and you, in turn, are to read the letter that will come from Laodicea. 17 And tell Archippus, “See that you complete the task you were given in the Lord.”

18 This greeting I, Sha’ul, write with my own hand.

Remember my imprisonment!

Grace be with you!

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:1 Psalm 110:1

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