Colossians 3:16-4:6

English Standard Version

¹⁶ Let ^(A)the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, ^(B)singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ^(C)with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And ^(D)whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(E)giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households

^18 (F)Wives, submit to your husbands, as ^(G)is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and ^(H)do not be harsh with them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents ^(I)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey ^(J)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 (K)Whatever you do, work heartily, ^(L)as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ^(M)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. ^(N)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 (O)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it ^(P)with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may ^(Q)open to us a door for the word, ^(R)to declare the mystery of Christ, ^(S)on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

^5 (T)Walk in wisdom toward ^(U)outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always ^(V)be gracious, ^(W)seasoned with salt, ^(X)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.