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22 Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God. 23 And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. 25 But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.

Masters, give to your servants that which is just and equal, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

22 Slaves, obey your human[a] masters in everything, not while being watched[b], as people pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, accomplish it from the soul, as to the Lord, and not to people, 24 because you[c] know that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. Serve[d] the Lord Christ. 25 For the one who does wrong will receive back whatever wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.

Masters, grant your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you also have a master in heaven.

Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:22 Literally “according to the flesh”
  2. Colossians 3:22 Literally “with eye-service”
  3. Colossians 3:24 Here “because” is supplied as a component of the participle (“know”) which is understood as causal
  4. Colossians 3:24 Or “You serve”; the same Greek verb form can be understood as either imperative (“serve”) or indicative (“you serve”), so that commentators and Bible translations differ