Colossians 3:5-4:6

English Standard Version

^5 (A)Put to death therefore ^(B)what is earthly in you:^{[a] (C)}sexual immorality, impurity, ^(D)passion, evil desire, and covetousness, ^(E)which is idolatry. ^6 (F)On account of these the wrath of God is coming.^{[b] 7 (G)}In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. ⁸ But now ^(H)you must put them all away: ^(I)anger, wrath, malice, ^(J)slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. ^9 (K)Do not lie to one another, seeing that ^(L)you have put off ^(M)the old self^[c] with its practices ¹⁰ and ^(N)have put on ^(O)the new self, ^(P)which is being renewed in knowledge ^(Q)after the image of ^(R)its creator. ^11 (S)Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave,^[d] free; but Christ is ^(T)all, and in all.

^12 (U)Put on then, as ^(V)God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, ^(W)compassionate hearts, ^(X)kindness, ^(Y)humility, meekness, and patience, ^13 (Z)bearing with one another and, ^(AA)if one has a complaint against another, ^(AB)forgiving each other; ^(AC)as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴ And above all these put on ^(AD)love, which ^(AE)binds everything together in ^(AF)perfect harmony. ¹⁵ And let ^(AG)the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called ^(AH)in one body. And ^(AI)be thankful. ¹⁶ Let ^(AJ)the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, ^(AK)singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, ^(AL)with thankfulness in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And ^(AM)whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, ^(AN)giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Rules for Christian Households

^18 (AO)Wives, submit to your husbands, as ^(AP)is fitting in the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and ^(AQ)do not be harsh with them. ²⁰ Children, obey your parents ^(AR)in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. ²² Bondservants, obey ^(AS)in everything those who are your earthly masters,^[e] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. ^23 (AT)Whatever you do, work heartily, ^(AU)as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord ^(AV)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. ^(AW)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^[f] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Further Instructions

^2 (AX)Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it ^(AY)with thanksgiving. ³ At the same time, pray also for us, that God may ^(AZ)open to us a door for the word, ^(BA)to declare the mystery of Christ, ^(BB)on account of which I am in prison— ⁴ that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

^5 (BC)Walk in wisdom toward ^(BD)outsiders, making the best use of the time. ⁶ Let your speech always ^(BE)be gracious, ^(BF)seasoned with salt, ^(BG)so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.