The Life of the New Man

1So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.a 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.a 3For you died,a and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is yourA life, appears,a then you also will appear with him in glory.b

5Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity,a lust,b evil desire, and greed,c which is idolatry.d 6Because of these, God’s wratha is coming upon the disobedient,A 7and you once walked in these things when you were livinga in them. 8But now, put awaya all the following: anger,b wrath,c malice,d slander,e and filthy language from your mouth.f 9Do not liea to one another, since you have put offb the old selfc with its practices 10and have put ona the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of yourA Creator.b 11In 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

12Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved,a put on compassion, kindness,b humility,c gentleness,d and patience,e 13bearing 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.a 14Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also calleda in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful. 16Let 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. 17And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the namea of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Christ in Your Home

18Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.a 19Husbands,a love your wivesb and don’t be bitterc toward them. 20Children,a obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers,a do not exasperateb your children, so that they won’t become discouraged. 22Slaves, obey your humana masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, as people-pleasers, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.b 23Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people,a 24knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. 25For the wrongdoera will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.