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Colossians 3-4
American Standard Version

3 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. 3 For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is [a]our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.

5 Put to death therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; 6 for which things’ sake cometh the wrath of God [b]upon the sons of disobedience: 7 [c]wherein ye also once walked, when ye lived in these things; 8 but now do ye also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, railing, shameful speaking out of your mouth: 9 lie not one to another; seeing that ye have put off the old man with his doings, 10 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: 11 where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 Put on therefore, as God’s elect, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, longsuffering; 13 forbearing one another, and forgiving each other, if any man have a complaint against any; even as [d]the Lord forgave you, so also do ye: 14 and above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness. 15 And let the peace of Christ [e]rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the word of [f]Christ dwell in you [g]richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing [h]one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto God. 17 And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

18 Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children, that they be not discouraged. 22 [i]Servants, obey in all things them that are your [j]masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord: 23 whatsoever ye do, work [k]heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; 24 knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: ye serve the Lord Christ. 25 For he that doeth wrong shall [l]receive again for the wrong that he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. 4 1 [m]Masters, render unto your [n]servants that which is just and [o]equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue stedfastly in prayer, watching therein with thanksgiving; 3 withal praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. 5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, [p]redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.

7 All my affairs shall Tychicus make known unto you, the beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord: 8 whom I have sent unto you for this very purpose, that ye may know our state, and that he may comfort your hearts; 9 together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow-prisoner saluteth you, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas (touching whom ye received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him), 11 and Jesus that is called Justus, who are of the circumcision: these only are my fellow-workers unto the kingdom of God, men that have been a comfort unto me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a [q]servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness, that he hath much labor for you, and for them in Laodicea, and for them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas salute you. 15 Salute the brethren that are in Laodicea, and [r]Nymphas, and the church that is in [s]their house. 16 And when [t]this epistle hath been read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye also read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.

18 The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:4 Many ancient authorities read your.
  2. Colossians 3:6 Some ancient authorities omit upon the sons of disobedience. See Eph. 5:6.
  3. Colossians 3:7 Or, amongst whom
  4. Colossians 3:13 Many ancient authorities read Christ.
  5. Colossians 3:15 Greek arbitrate.
  6. Colossians 3:16 Some ancient authorities read the Lord; others God
  7. Colossians 3:16 Or, richly in all wisdom; teaching etc.
  8. Colossians 3:16 Or, yourselves
  9. Colossians 3:22 Greek Bondservants.
  10. Colossians 3:22 Greek lords.
  11. Colossians 3:23 Greek from the soul.
  12. Colossians 3:25 Greek receive again the wrong.
  13. Colossians 4:1 Greek Lords.
  14. Colossians 4:1 Greek bondservants.
  15. Colossians 4:1 Greek equality.
  16. Colossians 4:5 Greek buying up the opportunity.
  17. Colossians 4:12 Greek bondservant.
  18. Colossians 4:15 The Greek may represent Nympha.
  19. Colossians 4:15 Some ancient authorities read her.
  20. Colossians 4:16 Greek the.
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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)

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
  2. Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient
  3. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
  4. Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
  5. Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
  6. Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group
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