Read the New Testament in 24 Weeks

3 So if you were raised to life with the Messiah, search for the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at God’s right hand! ² Think about the things that are above, not the things that belong on the earth. ³ Don’t you see: you died, and your life has been hidden with the Messiah, in God! ⁴ When the Messiah is revealed (and he is your life, remember), then you too will be revealed with him in glory.

Old clothes, new clothes

⁵ So, then, you must kill off the parts of you that belong on the earth: illicit sexual behavior, uncleanness, passion, evil desire and greed (which is a form of idolatry). ⁶ It’s because of these things that God’s wrath comes on the children of disobedience. ⁷ You too used to behave like that, once, when your life consisted of that sort of thing.

⁸ But now you must put away the lot of them: anger, rage, wickedness, blasphemy, dirty talk coming out of your mouth. ⁹ Don’t tell lies to each other! You have stripped off the old human nature, complete with its patterns of behavior, ¹⁰ and you have put on the new one—which is being renewed in the image of the creator, bringing you into possession of new knowledge. ¹¹ In this new humanity there is no question of “Greek and Jew,” or “circumcised and uncircumcised,” of “barbarian, Scythian,” or “slave and free.” The Messiah is everything and in everything!

Love, peace and thanksgiving

¹² These are the clothes you must put on, then, since God has chosen you, made you holy, and lavished his love upon you. You must be tender-hearted, kind, humble, meek, and ready to put up with anything. ¹³ You must bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against someone else, you must forgive each other. Just as the master forgave you, you must do the same. ¹⁴ On top of all this you must put on love, which ties everything together and makes it complete. ¹⁵ Let the Messiah’s peace be the deciding factor in your hearts; that’s what you were called to, within the one body. And be thankful.

¹⁶ Let the Messiah’s word dwell richly among you, as you teach and exhort one another in all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to God with grateful hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word or action, do everything in the name of the master, Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the father.

The Christian household

¹⁸ Now a word for wives: you should be subject to your husbands. This is appropriate in the Lord. ¹⁹ And for husbands: you should treat your wives with love, and not be bitter with them. ²⁰ And for children: obey your parents in everything; this pleases the Lord. ²¹ And for fathers: don’t provoke your children to anger, otherwise they might lose heart.

²² A word, too, for slaves: obey your earthly masters in everything. Don’t do it simply out of show, to curry favor with human beings, but wholeheartedly, because you fear the Master. ²³ Whatever you do, give it your very best, as if you were working for the Master and not for human beings. ²⁴ After all, you know that you’re going to receive the true inheritance from the Master as your reward! It is the Master, the Messiah, that you are serving. ²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be paid back for wrongdoing, and there will be no favorites.

4 Here’s a word, too, for masters: do what is just and fair for your slaves. Remember that you too have a Master—in heaven.

The fellowship of prayer

² Devote yourselves to prayer; keep alert in it, with thanksgiving. ³ While you’re about it, pray for us, too, that God will open in front of us a door for the word, so that we may speak of the mystery of the Messiah—which is why I’m here in chains. ⁴ Pray that I may speak clearly about it. That’s what I am duty-bound to do.

⁵ Behave wisely towards outsiders; buy up every opportunity. ⁶ When you speak, make sure it’s always full of grace, and well flavored with salt! That way you’ll know how to give each person an appropriate answer.

⁷ Our dear brother Tychicus will tell you all my news. He is a faithful servant, indeed a fellow slave in the Lord. ⁸ This is why I’m sending him to you—to let you know how things are with us, and to encourage your hearts. ⁹ I’m also sending Onesimus, who is a dear and faithful brother. He is one of your own number. They will tell you everything that’s going on here.

Greetings from others

¹⁰ Aristarchus (who’s in jail with me here) sends you greetings. So does Mark, Barnabas’s nephew. You’ve received instructions about him; if he comes to you, do make him welcome. ¹¹ Jesus Justus sends greetings as well. These three are the only fellow Jews I have among my colleagues working for God’s kingdom, and they have been an encouragement to me.

¹² Epaphras, one of your own folk and also one of Messiah Jesus’ slaves, sends you greetings. He’s always struggling in prayer on your behalf, praying that you will stand firm and mature, and have your minds fully settled on everything that God wants you to do. ¹³ I can bear him witness that he’s gone to a lot of trouble on your behalf, and also on behalf of the family in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. ¹⁴ Luke, the beloved doctor, sends greetings; so too does Demas.

¹⁵ Pass my greetings on to the family in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. ¹⁶ When this letter has been read to you, make sure it’s read in Laodicea as well; and you, too, should read the letter that will come on to you from Laodicea. ¹⁷ And say to Archippus: “Take care to complete the commission that you have received in the Lord.”

¹⁸ I’m signing off in my own hand: PAUL.

Remember the chains I’m wearing.

Grace be with you.