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.

³ It is God’s will^(A) that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality;^{(B) 4} that each of you should learn to control your own body^[a](C) in a way that is holy and honorable, ⁵ not in passionate lust^(D) like the pagans,^(E) who do not know God;^{(F) 6} and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister.^[b](G) The Lord will punish^(H) all those who commit such sins,^(I) as we told you and warned you before. ⁷ For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life.^{(J) 8} Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.^(K)

¹⁷ pray continually,^(A)

⁹ We also know that the law is made not for the righteous^(A) but for lawbreakers and rebels,^(B) the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰ for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine^{(C) 11} that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.^(D)

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers,^(A) intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority,^(B) that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness^(C) and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases^(D) God our Savior,^{(E) 4} who wants^(F) all people^(G) to be saved^(H) and to come to a knowledge of the truth.^{(I) 5} For there is one God^(J) and one mediator^(K) between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,^{(L) 6} who gave himself as a ransom^(M) for all people. This has now been witnessed to^(N) at the proper time.^{(O) 7} And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying^(P)—and a true and faithful teacher^(Q) of the Gentiles.^(R)

⁸ Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands^(S) without anger or disputing.

⁶ If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters,^[a] you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith^(A) and of the good teaching that you have followed.^{(B) 7} Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;^(C) rather, train yourself to be godly.^{(D) 8} For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,^(E) holding promise for both the present life^(F) and the life to come.^(G)

¹⁴ But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it,^{(A) 15} and how from infancy^(B) you have known the Holy Scriptures,^(C) which are able to make you wise^(D) for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture is God-breathed^(E) and is useful for teaching,^(F) rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,^{(G) 17} so that the servant of God^[a](H) may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.^(I)

12 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run^(A) with perseverance^(B) the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus,^(C) the pioneer^(D) and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross,^(E) scorning its shame,^(F) and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.^{(G) 3} Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary^(H) and lose heart.

⁴ Marriage should be honored by all,^(A) and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.^{(B) 5} Keep your lives free from the love of money^(C) and be content with what you have,^(D) because God has said,