Shared Word Translation
Colossians 3
Seek the Things Above
Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ—who is your life—is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
Put to Death the Old Ways
Therefore put to death whatever in you is earthly: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming. In these things you too once walked, when you were living in them.
But now you must put away all such things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator. In that renewal there is no Greek and Judean, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put On the New Ways
Therefore, as God’s chosen ones—holy and beloved—clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive each other; if anyone has a complaint against another, just as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive. And over all these, put on love, which binds everything together in completeness.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, sing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Households in the Lord
Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything—not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work from the heart, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You serve the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be repaid for the wrong they have done, and there is no partiality.