22 Bondservants, obey (A)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 (B)Whatever you do, work heartily, (C)as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord (D)you will receive the inheritance as your reward. (E)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.

Masters, treat your bondservants[b] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh
  2. Colossians 4:1 For the contextual rendering of the Greek word doulos, see Preface; likewise for servant in verse 12

22 Slaves, obey your human(A) masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.(B) 23 Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,(C) 24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer(D) will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Masters,(E) deal with your slaves justly and fairly, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.