1 I f then you have been raised with Christ, aim at and seek the that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

If then you were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God.

2 A nd set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.

Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

3 F or you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

4 W hen Christ, Who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

When Christ, our life, is revealed, then you will also be revealed with him in glory.

5 S o kill (deaden, deprive of power) the evil desire lurking in your members: sexual vice, impurity, sensual appetites, unholy desires, and all greed and covetousness, for that is idolatry (the deifying of self and other created things instead of God).

Put to death therefore your members which are on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, depraved passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

6 I t is on account of these that the anger of God is ever coming upon the sons of disobedience (those who are obstinately opposed to the divine will),

for which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

7 A mong whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to.

You also once walked in those, when you lived in them;

8 B ut now put away and rid yourselves of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses and slander, and foulmouthed abuse and shameful utterances from your lips!

but now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and shameful speaking out of your mouth.

9 D o not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old (unregenerate) self with its evil practices,

Don’t lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old man with his doings,

10 A nd have clothed yourselves with the new, which is renewed and remolded into '> knowledge upon] knowledge after the image (the likeness) of Him Who created it.

and have put on the new man, who is being renewed in knowledge after the image of his Creator,

11 T here is no room for and there can be neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarians or Scythians '> who are the most savage of all], nor slave or free man; but Christ is all and in all '> everything and everywhere, to all men, without distinction of person].

where there can’t be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondservant, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

12 C lothe yourselves therefore, as God’s own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), purified and holy and well-beloved tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, patience.

Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

13 B e gentle and forbearing with one another and, if one has a difference (a grievance or complaint) against another, readily pardoning each other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so must you also.

bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

14 A nd above all these love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness.

Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

15 A nd let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts to which as one body you were also called. And be thankful (appreciative),.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 L et the word Christ (the Messiah) have its home and dwell in you in richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with grace in your hearts.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

17 A nd whatever you do in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in His Person, giving praise to God the Father through Him.

Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father, through him.

18 W ives, be subject to your husbands, as is right and fitting and your proper duty in the Lord.

Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19 H usbands, love your wives and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them.

Husbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.

20 C hildren, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

Children, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

21 F athers, do not provoke or irritate or fret your children, lest they become discouraged and sullen and morose and feel inferior and frustrated.

Fathers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

22 S ervants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not only when their eyes are on you as pleasers of men, but in simplicity of purpose because of your reverence for the Lord and as a sincere expression of your devotion to Him.

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 W hatever may be your task, work at it heartily (from the soul), as for the Lord and not for men,

And whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,

24 K nowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance which is your reward. you are actually serving the Lord Christ (the Messiah).

knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

25 F or he who deals wrongfully will be punished for his wrongdoing. And there is no partiality.

But he who does wrong will receive again for the wrong that he has done, and there is no partiality.