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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].

Fellow Workers

Masters, [on your part] deal with your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.(A)

22 [a](A)Slaves, obey those who are your [b]human masters in everything, (B)not with [c]eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [d]heartily, (C)as for the Lord and not for people, 24 (D)knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward [e]of (E)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (F)serve. 25 For (G)the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and [f](H)that without partiality.

Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, (I)knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:22 I.e., slaves in first-century Roman culture
  2. Colossians 3:22 Lit masters according to flesh
  3. Colossians 3:22 I.e., working only when watched
  4. Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
  5. Colossians 3:24 I.e., consisting of
  6. Colossians 3:25 Lit there is no partiality