Colossians 3:13-22
English Standard Version
13 (A)bearing with one another and, (B)if one has a complaint against another, (C)forgiving each other; (D)as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on (E)love, which (F)binds everything together in (G)perfect harmony. 15 And let (H)the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called (I)in one body. And (J)be thankful. 16 Let (K)the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, (L)singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, (M)with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And (N)whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, (O)giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Rules for Christian Households
18 (P)Wives, submit to your husbands, as (Q)is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and (R)do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents (S)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey (T)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.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh
Colossians 3:13-22
New Living Translation
13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.
16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
Instructions for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
20 Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord.
Read full chapterThe ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
