12 So, as those who have been (A)chosen of God, holy and beloved, (B)put on a (C)heart of compassion, kindness, (D)humility, gentleness, and [a](E)patience; 13 (F)bearing with one another, and (G)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; (H)just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also. 14 In addition to all these things put on love, which is [b](I)the perfect bond of (J)unity. 15 Let (K)the peace of Christ, to which you were [c]indeed called in (L)one body, [d]rule in your hearts; and [e]be thankful. 16 Let (M)the word of [f]Christ richly dwell within you, [g]with all wisdom (N)teaching and admonishing [h]one another (O)with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, (P)singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 (Q)Whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, (R)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:12 I.e., forbearance toward others
  2. Colossians 3:14 Lit the uniting bond of perfection
  3. Colossians 3:15 Or also
  4. Colossians 3:15 Or be in control in
  5. Colossians 3:15 Or show yourselves thankful
  6. Colossians 3:16 One early ms the Lord
  7. Colossians 3:16 Or in
  8. Colossians 3:16 Or one another, singing with psalms...

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(A) with compassion, kindness, humility,(B) gentleness and patience.(C) 13 Bear with each other(D) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(E) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(F) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(G)

15 Let the peace of Christ(H) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(I) you were called to peace.(J) And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ(K) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(L) through psalms,(M) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(N) 17 And whatever you do,(O) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks(P) to God the Father through him.

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12 (A) God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 (B) Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.

15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 (C) Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.

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12-14 So, chosen by God for this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God picked out for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it.

15-17 Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness. Let the Word of Christ—the Message—have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. Instruct and direct one another using good common sense. And sing, sing your hearts out to God! Let every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.

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