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Colossians 1-4
New American Standard Bible
Colossians 1-4
New American Standard Bible
Thankfulness for Spiritual Attainments
1 (A)Paul, (B)an apostle of Christ Jesus [a](C)by the will of God, and (D)Timothy [b]our brother,
2 To the [c](E)saints and faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are at Colossae: (F)Grace to you and peace from God our Father.
3 (G)We [d]give thanks to God, (H)the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 (I)since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the (J)love which you have [e]for (K)all the [f]saints; 5 because of the (L)hope (M)reserved for you in [g]heaven, of which you previously (N)heard in the word of truth, [h]the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as [i](O)in all the world also it is bearing (P)fruit and [j]increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you (Q)heard it and [k]understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from (R)Epaphras, our (S)beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he also informed us of your (T)love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason we also, (U)since the day we heard about it, (V)have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the [l](W)knowledge of His will in all spiritual (X)wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will (Y)walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, [m](Z)to please Him in all respects, (AA)bearing fruit in every good work and [n]increasing in the [o]knowledge of God; 11 (AB)strengthened with all power, according to [p]His glorious might, [q]for the attaining of all perseverance and [r]patience; (AC)joyously 12 giving thanks to (AD)the Father, who has qualified us [s]to share in (AE)the inheritance of the [t]saints in (AF)light.
The Incomparable Christ
13 [u]For He rescued us from the [v](AG)domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of [w](AH)His beloved Son, 14 (AI)in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
15 [x]He is the (AJ)image of the (AK)invisible God, the (AL)firstborn of all creation: 16 for [y](AM)by Him all things were created, (AN)both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether (AO)thrones, or dominions, or rulers, or authorities—(AP)all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He [z](AQ)is before all things, and in Him all things [aa]hold together. 18 He is also the (AR)head of (AS)the body, the church; and He is (AT)the beginning, (AU)the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. 19 For [ab]it was (AV)the Father’s good pleasure for all (AW)the [ac]fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to (AX)reconcile all things to Himself, (AY)whether things on earth or things in [ad]heaven, having made (AZ)peace through (BA)the blood of His cross.
21 And although you were (BB)previously alienated and hostile in attitude, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now (BC)reconciled you in His (BD)body of flesh through death, in order to (BE)present you before Him (BF)holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in [ae]the faith firmly (BG)established and steadfast, and not shifting from the (BH)hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed (BI)in all creation under heaven, (BJ)and of which I, Paul, [af]was made a [ag](BK)minister.
24 (BL)Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh (BM)I am supplementing what is lacking [ah]in Christ’s afflictions in behalf of (BN)His body, which is the church. 25 (BO)I [ai]was made a minister of this church according to the (BP)commission from God granted to me for your benefit, so that I might [aj]fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, (BQ)the mystery which had been hidden from the past ages and generations, but now has been revealed to His [ak]saints, 27 to whom (BR)God willed to make known what (BS)the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is (BT)Christ in you, the (BU)hope of glory. 28 We proclaim Him, (BV)admonishing every person and teaching every person [al]with all (BW)wisdom, so that we may (BX)present every person [am](BY)complete in Christ. 29 For this purpose I also (BZ)labor, (CA)striving (CB)according to His [an]power which [ao]works mightily within me.
You Are Built Up in Christ
2 For I want you to know how great a (CC)struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at (CD)Laodicea, and for all those who have not [ap]personally seen my face, 2 that their (CE)hearts may be encouraged, having been (CF)knit together in love, and that they would attain to all (CG)the wealth [aq]that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a (CH)true knowledge of (CI)God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all (CJ)the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 (CK)I say this so that no one will deceive you with (CL)persuasive arguments. 5 For even though I am (CM)absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing [ar]to see [as]your (CN)orderly manner and the (CO)stability of your faith in Christ.
6 Therefore, as you have received (CP)Christ Jesus the Lord, so [at](CQ)walk in Him, 7 having been firmly (CR)rooted and now being (CS)built up in Him and (CT)established [au]in [av]your faith, just as you (CU)were instructed, and overflowing [aw]with gratitude.
8 (CV)See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through (CW)philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the (CX)elementary principles of the world, [ax]rather than in accordance with Christ. 9 For in Him all the (CY)fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been (CZ)made [ay]complete, and (DA)He is the head [az]over every (DB)ruler and authority; 11 and in Him (DC)you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of (DD)the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been (DE)buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also (DF)raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who (DG)raised Him from the dead. 13 And [ba]when you were (DH)dead [bb]in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He (DI)made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, 14 having canceled (DJ)the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and (DK)He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had [bc](DL)disarmed the (DM)rulers and authorities, He (DN)made a public display of them, having (DO)triumphed over them through [bd]Him.
16 Therefore, no one is to [be](DP)act as your judge in regard to (DQ)food and (DR)drink, or in respect to a (DS)festival or a (DT)new moon, or a (DU)Sabbath [bf]day— 17 things which are only a (DV)shadow of what is to come; but the [bg]substance [bh]belongs to Christ. 18 Take care that no one keeps [bi](DW)defrauding you of your prize by (DX)delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, [bj]taking his stand on visions he has seen, [bk](DY)inflated without cause by his (DZ)fleshly mind, 19 and not holding firmly to (EA)the head, from whom (EB)the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and [bl]ligaments, grows with a growth [bm]which is from God.
20 (EC)If you have died with Christ [bn]to the (ED)elementary principles of the world, (EE)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to (EF)decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer (EG)to things destined to perish [bo]with use)—in accordance with the (EH)commandments and teachings of man? 23 These are matters which do have the [bp]appearance of wisdom in [bq](EI)self-made religion and humility and (EJ)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against (EK)fleshly indulgence.
Put On the New Self
3 Therefore, if you have been (EL)raised with Christ, keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, (EM)seated at the right hand of God. 2 [br](EN)Set your minds on the things that are above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have (EO)died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, (EP)who is our life, is revealed, (EQ)then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 (ER)Therefore, [bs]treat (ES)the parts of your earthly body as dead to (ET)sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which [bt]amounts to idolatry. 6 For it is because of these things that (EU)the wrath of God is coming [bu]upon the [bv]sons of disobedience, 7 and (EV)in them you also once walked, when you were living [bw]in them. 8 But now you also, (EW)rid yourselves of all of them: (EX)anger, wrath, malice, slander, and (EY)obscene speech from your mouth. 9 [bx](EZ)Do not lie to one another, since you (FA)stripped off the old [by]self with its evil practices, 10 and have (FB)put on the new self, which is being [bz](FC)renewed to a true knowledge (FD)according to the image of the One who (FE)created it— 11 a renewal in which (FF)there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, (FG)circumcised and uncircumcised, [ca](FH)barbarian, [cb]Scythian, (FI)slave, and free, but (FJ)Christ is all, and in all.
12 So, as those who have been (FK)chosen of God, holy and beloved, (FL)put on a (FM)heart of compassion, kindness, (FN)humility, gentleness, and [cc](FO)patience; 13 (FP)bearing with one another, and (FQ)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; (FR)just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is [cd](FS)the perfect bond of (FT)unity. 15 Let (FU)the peace of Christ, to which you were [ce]indeed called in (FV)one body, [cf]rule in your hearts; and [cg]be thankful. 16 Let (FW)the word of [ch]Christ richly dwell within you, [ci]with all wisdom (FX)teaching and admonishing [cj]one another (FY)with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, (FZ)singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 (GA)Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, (GB)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Family Relations
18 (GC)Wives, (GD)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 (GE)Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. 20 (GF)Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing [ck]to the Lord. 21 (GG)Fathers, do not [cl]antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged.
22 [cm](GH)Slaves, obey those who are your [cn]human masters in everything, (GI)not with [co]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [cp]heartily, (GJ)as for the Lord and not for people, 24 (GK)knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward [cq]of (GL)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (GM)serve. 25 For (GN)the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and [cr](GO)that without partiality.
4 Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, (GP)knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 (GQ)Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time (GR)for us as well, that God will open up to us a (GS)door for (GT)the word, so that we may proclaim (GU)the mystery of Christ, for which I have also (GV)been imprisoned; 4 that I may make it clear (GW)in the way that I ought to proclaim it.
5 [cs](GX)Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward (GY)outsiders, [ct](GZ)making the most of the opportunity. 6 (HA)Your speech must always be [cu]with grace, as though seasoned with (HB)salt, so that you will know how you should (HC)respond to each person.
7 (HD)As to all my affairs, (HE)Tychicus, our (HF)beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 (HG)For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may (HH)encourage your hearts; 9 [cv]and with him is (HI)Onesimus, our faithful and (HJ)beloved brother, (HK)who is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here.
10 (HL)Aristarchus, my (HM)fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also (HN)Barnabas’ cousin Mark (about whom you received [cw]instructions; (HO)if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only (HP)fellow workers for the kingdom of God (HQ)who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 (HR)Epaphras, (HS)who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always (HT)striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may [cx]stand [cy](HU)mature and [cz]fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has [da]a deep concern for you and for those who are in (HV)Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 (HW)Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and (HX)Demas does also. 15 Greet the brothers and sisters who are in (HY)Laodicea and also [db]Nympha and (HZ)the church that is in [dc]her house. 16 (IA)When [dd]this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part, (IB)read [de]my letter that is coming from (IC)Laodicea. 17 Tell (ID)Archippus, “See to the (IE)ministry which you have received in the Lord, so that you may [df]fulfill it.”
18 [dg]I, Paul, (IF)write this greeting with my own hand. (IG)Remember my [dh](IH)imprisonment. (II)Grace be with you.
Footnotes
- Colossians 1:1 Lit through
- Colossians 1:1 Lit the
- Colossians 1:2 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Colossians 1:3 Or always give...praying for you
- Colossians 1:4 Or toward
- Colossians 1:4 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Colossians 1:5 Lit the heavens
- Colossians 1:5 Or of the gospel
- Colossians 1:6 Or it is in all the world also, bearing
- Colossians 1:6 Or spreading abroad
- Colossians 1:6 Or came to fully know
- Colossians 1:9 Or real knowledge
- Colossians 1:10 Lit unto all pleasing
- Colossians 1:10 Or growing by the knowledge
- Colossians 1:10 Or real knowledge
- Colossians 1:11 Lit the might of His glory
- Colossians 1:11 Lit unto all
- Colossians 1:11 Or patience with joy
- Colossians 1:12 Lit unto the portion of
- Colossians 1:12 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Colossians 1:13 Lit Who rescued
- Colossians 1:13 Lit authority
- Colossians 1:13 Lit the Son of His love
- Colossians 1:15 Lit Who is
- Colossians 1:16 Or in
- Colossians 1:17 Or has existed prior to
- Colossians 1:17 Or endure
- Colossians 1:19 Or all the fullness was pleased to dwell
- Colossians 1:19 I.e., fullness of deity
- Colossians 1:20 Lit the heavens
- Colossians 1:23 Or in faith
- Colossians 1:23 Lit became
- Colossians 1:23 Or servant
- Colossians 1:24 Lit of
- Colossians 1:25 Lit became
- Colossians 1:25 Lit make full the word of God
- Colossians 1:26 Lit holy ones; i.e., God’s people
- Colossians 1:28 Lit in
- Colossians 1:28 Or perfect
- Colossians 1:29 Lit working
- Colossians 1:29 Lit in power
- Colossians 2:1 Lit in the flesh
- Colossians 2:2 Lit of the full assurance
- Colossians 2:5 Lit and seeing
- Colossians 2:5 Or your good order
- Colossians 2:6 Or lead your life
- Colossians 2:7 Or by
- Colossians 2:7 Or the faith
- Colossians 2:7 One early ms in it with
- Colossians 2:8 Lit and not
- Colossians 2:10 Lit full
- Colossians 2:10 Lit of
- Colossians 2:13 Or although
- Colossians 2:13 Or by reason of
- Colossians 2:15 Or divested Himself of
- Colossians 2:15 Or it; i.e., the cross
- Colossians 2:16 Lit judge you
- Colossians 2:16 Or days
- Colossians 2:17 Lit body
- Colossians 2:17 Lit of Christ
- Colossians 2:18 Or deciding against you
- Colossians 2:18 Or going into detail about
- Colossians 2:18 Or conceited
- Colossians 2:19 Lit bonds
- Colossians 2:19 Lit of God
- Colossians 2:20 Lit from
- Colossians 2:22 Or by being consumed
- Colossians 2:23 Lit report; Gr logos
- Colossians 2:23 Or would-be religion
- Colossians 3:2 Or Be intent on
- Colossians 3:5 Lit put to death the parts of your body which are upon the earth
- Colossians 3:5 Lit is
- Colossians 3:6 Two early mss do not contain upon the sons of disobedience
- Colossians 3:6 I.e., people opposed to God
- Colossians 3:7 Or among these
- Colossians 3:9 Or Stop lying
- Colossians 3:9 Lit person
- Colossians 3:10 Lit renovated
- Colossians 3:11 I.e., uncultured
- Colossians 3:11 I.e., a member of an ancient people near the Black Sea, often considered unrefined
- Colossians 3:12 I.e., forbearance toward others
- Colossians 3:14 Lit the uniting bond of perfection
- Colossians 3:15 Or also
- Colossians 3:15 Or be in control in
- Colossians 3:15 Or show yourselves thankful
- Colossians 3:16 One early ms the Lord
- Colossians 3:16 Or in
- Colossians 3:16 Or one another, singing with psalms...
- Colossians 3:20 Lit in
- Colossians 3:21 Or provoke to anger
- Colossians 3:22 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
- Colossians 3:22 Lit masters according to flesh
- Colossians 3:22 I.e., working only when watched
- Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
- Colossians 3:24 I.e., consisting of
- Colossians 3:25 Lit there is no partiality
- Colossians 4:5 Lit Walk
- Colossians 4:5 Lit redeeming the time
- Colossians 4:6 Or gracious
- Colossians 4:9 Lit along with Onesimus
- Colossians 4:10 Or orders
- Colossians 4:12 Or stand firm
- Colossians 4:12 Or fully developed
- Colossians 4:12 Or made complete
- Colossians 4:13 Or much toil; or great pain
- Colossians 4:15 Or Nymphas (masc)
- Colossians 4:15 One early ms their
- Colossians 4:16 Lit the
- Colossians 4:16 Lit the
- Colossians 4:17 Or continually fulfill
- Colossians 4:18 Lit The greeting by my hand of Paul
- Colossians 4:18 Lit bonds
Colossians 1-4
New International Version
Colossians 1-4
New International Version
1 Paul, an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B) and Timothy(C) our brother,
2 To God’s holy people in Colossae, the faithful brothers and sisters[a] in Christ:
Grace(D) and peace to you from God our Father.[b](E)
Thanksgiving and Prayer
3 We always thank God,(F) the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love(G) you have for all God’s people(H)— 5 the faith and love that spring from the hope(I) stored up for you in heaven(J) and about which you have already heard in the true message(K) of the gospel 6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit(L) and growing throughout the whole world(M)—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace. 7 You learned it from Epaphras,(N) our dear fellow servant,[c] who is a faithful minister(O) of Christ on our[d] behalf, 8 and who also told us of your love in the Spirit.(P)
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you,(Q) we have not stopped praying for you.(R) We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will(S) through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e](T) 10 so that you may live a life worthy(U) of the Lord and please him(V) in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,(W) 11 being strengthened with all power(X) according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,(Y) 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father,(Z) who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance(AA) of his holy people in the kingdom of light.(AB) 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness(AC) and brought us into the kingdom(AD) of the Son he loves,(AE) 14 in whom we have redemption,(AF) the forgiveness of sins.(AG)
The Supremacy of the Son of God
15 The Son is the image(AH) of the invisible God,(AI) the firstborn(AJ) over all creation. 16 For in him all things were created:(AK) things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities;(AL) all things have been created through him and for him.(AM) 17 He is before all things,(AN) and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head(AO) of the body, the church;(AP) he is the beginning and the firstborn(AQ) from among the dead,(AR) so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For God was pleased(AS) to have all his fullness(AT) dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile(AU) to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven,(AV) by making peace(AW) through his blood,(AX) shed on the cross.
21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies(AY) in your minds(AZ) because of[g] your evil behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled(BA) you by Christ’s physical body(BB) through death to present you(BC) holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation(BD)— 23 if you continue(BE) in your faith, established(BF) and firm, and do not move from the hope(BG) held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven,(BH) and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.(BI)
Paul’s Labor for the Church
24 Now I rejoice(BJ) in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions,(BK) for the sake of his body, which is the church.(BL) 25 I have become its servant(BM) by the commission God gave me(BN) to present to you the word of God(BO) in its fullness— 26 the mystery(BP) that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known(BQ) among the Gentiles the glorious riches(BR) of this mystery, which is Christ in you,(BS) the hope of glory.
28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing(BT) and teaching everyone with all wisdom,(BU) so that we may present everyone fully mature(BV) in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously(BW) contend(BX) with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.(BY)
2 I want you to know how hard I am contending(BZ) for you and for those at Laodicea,(CA) and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart(CB) and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery(CC) of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.(CD) 4 I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments.(CE) 5 For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit(CF) and delight to see how disciplined(CG) you are and how firm(CH) your faith in Christ(CI) is.
Spiritual Fullness in Christ
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord,(CJ) continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted(CK) and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught,(CL) and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,(CM) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[h] of this world(CN) rather than on Christ.
9 For in Christ all the fullness(CO) of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head(CP) over every power and authority.(CQ) 11 In him you were also circumcised(CR) with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh[i](CS) was put off when you were circumcised by[j] Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism,(CT) in which you were also raised with him(CU) through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.(CV)
13 When you were dead in your sins(CW) and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you[k] alive(CX) with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,(CY) 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness,(CZ) which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.(DA) 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities,(DB) he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them(DC) by the cross.[l]
Freedom From Human Rules
16 Therefore do not let anyone judge you(DD) by what you eat or drink,(DE) or with regard to a religious festival,(DF) a New Moon celebration(DG) or a Sabbath day.(DH) 17 These are a shadow of the things that were to come;(DI) the reality, however, is found in Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility(DJ) and the worship of angels disqualify you.(DK) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head,(DL) from whom the whole body,(DM) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.(DN)
20 Since you died with Christ(DO) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,(DP) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:(DQ) 21 “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? 22 These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish(DR) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.(DS) 23 Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility(DT) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
Living as Those Made Alive in Christ
3 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ,(DU) set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.(DV) 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.(DW) 3 For you died,(DX) and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[m] life,(DY) appears,(DZ) then you also will appear with him in glory.(EA)
5 Put to death,(EB) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:(EC) sexual immorality,(ED) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,(EE) which is idolatry.(EF) 6 Because of these, the wrath of God(EG) is coming.[n] 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.(EH) 8 But now you must also rid yourselves(EI) of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander,(EJ) and filthy language from your lips.(EK) 9 Do not lie to each other,(EL) since you have taken off your old self(EM) with its practices 10 and have put on the new self,(EN) which is being renewed(EO) in knowledge in the image of its Creator.(EP) 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew,(EQ) circumcised or uncircumcised,(ER) barbarian, Scythian, slave or free,(ES) but Christ is all,(ET) and is in all.
12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(EU) with compassion, kindness, humility,(EV) gentleness and patience.(EW) 13 Bear with each other(EX) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(EY) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(EZ) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(FA)
15 Let the peace of Christ(FB) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(FC) you were called to peace.(FD) And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ(FE) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(FF) through psalms,(FG) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(FH) 17 And whatever you do,(FI) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks(FJ) to God the Father through him.
Instructions for Christian Households(FK)
18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(FL) 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,[o] 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(FM) from the Lord as a reward.(FN) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(FO)
4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(FP) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer,(FQ) being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door(FR) for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery(FS) of Christ, for which I am in chains.(FT) 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise(FU) in the way you act toward outsiders;(FV) make the most of every opportunity.(FW) 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace,(FX) seasoned with salt,(FY) so that you may know how to answer everyone.(FZ)
Final Greetings
7 Tychicus(GA) will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant[p](GB) in the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our[q] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.(GC) 9 He is coming with Onesimus,(GD) our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.(GE) They will tell you everything that is happening here.
10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus(GF) sends you his greetings, as does Mark,(GG) the cousin of Barnabas.(GH) (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[r] among my co-workers(GI) for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. 12 Epaphras,(GJ) who is one of you(GK) and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you,(GL) that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature(GM) and fully assured. 13 I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea(GN) and Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke,(GO) the doctor, and Demas(GP) send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea,(GQ) and to Nympha and the church in her house.(GR)
16 After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read(GS) in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.
17 Tell Archippus:(GT) “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.”(GU)
18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.(GV) Remember(GW) my chains.(GX) Grace be with you.(GY)
Footnotes
- Colossians 1:2 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in 4:15.
- Colossians 1:2 Some manuscripts Father and the Lord Jesus Christ
- Colossians 1:7 Or slave
- Colossians 1:7 Some manuscripts your
- Colossians 1:9 Or all spiritual wisdom and understanding
- Colossians 1:12 Some manuscripts us
- Colossians 1:21 Or minds, as shown by
- Colossians 2:8 Or the basic principles; also in verse 20
- Colossians 2:11 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit; also in verse 13.
- Colossians 2:11 Or put off in the circumcision of
- Colossians 2:13 Some manuscripts us
- Colossians 2:15 Or them in him
- Colossians 3:4 Some manuscripts our
- Colossians 3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient
- Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
- Colossians 4:7 Or slave; also in verse 12
- Colossians 4:8 Some manuscripts that he may know about your
- Colossians 4:11 Greek only ones of the circumcision group
New American Standard Bible (NASB) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.
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.