Colossians 3:18-25

Amplified Bible

Family Relations

¹⁸ Wives, be ^[a]subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and ^[b]fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage]. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing ^[c]to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings]. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].

²² Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord. ²³ Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. ²⁵ For he who does wrong will be punished for his wrongdoing, and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person’s position in life].