Colossians 3:18-4:1

English Standard Version

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 Bondservants, obey ^(E)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 (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 bondservants^[b] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.