Font Size
Colossians 3:18-4:6
English Standard Version
Colossians 3:18-4:6
English Standard Version
Rules for Christian Households
18 (A)Wives, submit to your husbands, as (B)is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and (C)do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents (D)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey (E)in everything those who are your earthly masters,[a] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 (F)Whatever you do, work heartily, (G)as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord (H)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. (I)You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
4 Masters, treat your bondservants[b] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 (J)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it (K)with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may (L)open to us a door for the word, (M)to declare the mystery of Christ, (N)on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 (O)Walk in wisdom toward (P)outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always (Q)be gracious, (R)seasoned with salt, (S)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Footnotes
- Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh
- Colossians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12
Colossians 3:18-4:6
New International Version
Colossians 3:18-4:6
New International Version
Instructions for Christian Households(A)
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(B) 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,[a] 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(C) from the Lord as a reward.(D) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(E)
4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(F) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer,(G) being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(H) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(I) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(J) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise(K) in the way you act toward outsiders;(L) make the most of every opportunity.(M) 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,(N) seasoned with salt,(O) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(P)
Footnotes
- Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.