Colossians 3:18-4:6
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Rules for Christian Households
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.(A) 19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord.(B) 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters[a] in everything, not with a slavery performed merely for looks, to please people, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.[b](C) 23 Whatever task you must do, work as if your soul depends on it, as for the Lord and not for humans, 24 since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.(D) 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.(E) 4 1
Further Instructions
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with thanksgiving.(F) 3 At the same time, pray for us as well, that God will open to us a door for the word, that we may declare the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison,(G) 4 so that I may reveal it clearly, as I should.
5 Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.[c](H) 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.(I)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.