Colossians 3:11-4:1

Christian Standard Bible

¹¹ In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.^(A)

The Christian Life

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved,^(B) put on compassion, kindness,^(C) humility,^(D) gentleness,^(E) and patience,^{(F) 13} bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.^{(G) 14} Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. ¹⁵ And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called^(H) in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell richly among you, in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another through psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs,^[a] singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name^(I) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christ in Your Home

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.^{(J) 19} Husbands,^(K) love your wives^(L) and don’t be bitter^(M) toward them. ²⁰ Children,^(N) obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. ²¹ Fathers,^(O) do not exasperate^(P) your children, so that they won’t become discouraged. ²² Slaves, obey your human^(Q) masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.^{(R) 23} Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,^{(S) 24} knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. ²⁵ For the wrongdoer^(T) will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

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