Colossians 3:12-4:5

English Standard Version

^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. ¹⁵ And let ^(M)the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called ^(N)in one body. And ^(O)be thankful. ¹⁶ Let ^(P)the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, ^(Q)singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ^(R)with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And ^(S)whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(T)giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households

^18 (U)Wives, submit to your husbands, as ^(V)is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and ^(W)do not be harsh with them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents ^(X)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey ^(Y)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 (Z)Whatever you do, work heartily, ^(AA)as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ^(AB)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. ^(AC)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 (AD)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it ^(AE)with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may ^(AF)open to us a door for the word, ^(AG)to declare the mystery of Christ, ^(AH)on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

^5 (AI)Walk in wisdom toward ^(AJ)outsiders, making the best use of the time.