1 ¶ If ye then are risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where the Christ sits at the right hand of God.

If 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.

2 S et your sight on things above, not on things on the earth.

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

3 F or ye are dead and your life is hid with the Christ in God.

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

4 W hen Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also be manifested with him in glory.

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

5 ¶ Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil lust, and covetousness, which is idolatry;

So 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).

6 f or which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience,

It 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),

7 i n which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Among whom you also once walked, when you were living in and addicted to.

8 ¶ But now put ye also off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

But 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!

9 L ie not one to another, putting off the old man with his deeds

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

10 a nd being clothed with the new man, who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of the one that created him,

And 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.

11 w here there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, slave nor free: but Christ is all and in all.

There 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].

12 ¶ Clothed, therefore, (as the elect of God, holy and beloved) with bowels of mercies, with kindness, with humility, with meekness, with tolerance,

Clothe 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.

13 f orbearing one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a quarrel against another: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Be 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.

14 A nd above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.

And above all these love and enfold yourselves with the bond of perfectness.

15 A nd let the peace of God rule in your hearts, into which likewise ye are called into one body, and be ye thankful.

And 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),.

16 L et the word of the Christ dwell in you in abundance in all wisdom, teaching you and exhorting you one to another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with grace singing in your hearts unto the Lord.

Let 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.

17 A nd whatever ye do whether in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to the God and Father by him.

And 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.

18 ¶ Wives, be subject to your own husbands as it is fit in the Lord.

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

19 H usbands, love your wives and do not be bitter against them.

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh or bitter or resentful toward them.

20 C hildren, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord.

21 F athers, provoke not your children lest they become disheartened.

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

22 S laves, in all things hearken unto your masters according to the flesh, not serving to be seen as those who only please men, but in simplicity of heart, fearing God;

Servants, 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.

23 A nd whatever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men,

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

24 k nowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Knowing 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).

25 B ut he that does wrong shall receive the wrong which he has done, now that there is no respect of persons.

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