12 (A)Put on then, as (B)God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, (C)compassionate hearts, (D)kindness, (E)humility, meekness, and patience, 13 (F)bearing with one another and, (G)if one has a complaint against another, (H)forgiving each other; (I)as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on (J)love, which (K)binds everything together in (L)perfect harmony.

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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.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:12 I.e., forbearance toward others
  2. Colossians 3:14 Lit the uniting bond of perfection

Character of the New Man

12 Therefore, (A)as the elect of God, holy and beloved, (B)put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; 13 (C)bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. 14 (D)But above all these things (E)put on love, which is the (F)bond of perfection.

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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.

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