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Colossians 3:18-4:1
English Standard Version Anglicised

Rules for Christian Households

18 (A)Wives, submit to your husbands, as (B)is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and (C)do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents (D)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Slaves,[a] obey (E)in everything those who are your earthly masters,[b] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 (F)Whatever you do, work heartily, (G)as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord (H)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. (I)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 slaves[c] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:22 Or Servants; Greek Bondservants
  2. Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh
  3. Colossians 4:1 Or servants; Greek bondservants
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Colossians 3:18-4:1
New International Version

Instructions for Christian Households(A)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(B) 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,[a] 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(C) from the Lord as a reward.(D) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(E)

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,(F) because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents
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