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

If then you have been raised with Christ, keep looking for the good things of heaven. This is where Christ is seated on the right side of God.

2 S et your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are on the earth.

Keep your minds thinking about things in heaven. Do not think about things on the earth.

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

You are dead to the things of this world. Your new life is now hidden in God through Christ.

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

Christ is our life. When He comes again, you will also be with Him to share His shining-greatness. The Old Person Put Aside

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

Destroy the desires to sin that are in you. These desires are: sex sins, anything that is not clean, a desire for sex sins, and wanting something someone else has. This is worshiping a god.

6 f or which things’ sake the wrath of God comes on the children of disobedience.

It is because of these sins that the anger of God comes down on those who do not obey Him.

7 Y ou also once walked in those, when you lived in them;

You used to do these sins when you lived that kind of life.

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

Put out of your life these things also: anger, bad temper, bad feelings toward others, talk that hurts people, speaking against God, and dirty talk.

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

Do not lie to each other. You have put out of your life your old ways.

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

You have now become a new person and are always learning more about Christ. You are being made more like Christ. He is the One Who made you.

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

There is no difference in men in this new life. Greeks and Jews are the same. The man who has gone through the religious act of becoming a Jew and the one who has not are the same. There is no difference between nations. Men who are servants and those who are free are the same. Christ is everything. He is in all of us.

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

God has chosen you. You are holy and loved by Him. Because of this, your new life should be full of loving-pity. You should be kind to others and have no pride. Be gentle and be willing to wait for others.

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

Try to understand other people. Forgive each other. If you have something against someone, forgive him. That is the way the Lord forgave you.

14 A bove all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

And to all these things, you must add love. Love holds everything and everybody together and makes all these good things perfect.

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

Let the peace of Christ have power over your hearts. You were chosen as a part of His body. Always be thankful.

16 L et 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.

Let the teaching of Christ and His words keep on living in you. These make your lives rich and full of wisdom. Keep on teaching and helping each other. Sing the Songs of David and the church songs and the songs of heaven with hearts full of thanks to God.

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

Whatever you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord Jesus. Give thanks to God the Father through the Lord Jesus. How Families Should Live

18 W ives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Wives, obey your husbands. This is what the Lord wants you to do.

19 H usbands, love your wives, and don’t be bitter against them.

Husbands, love your wives. Do not hold hard feelings against them.

20 C hildren, obey your parents in all things, for this pleases the Lord.

Children, obey your parents in everything. The Lord is pleased when you do.

21 F athers, don’t provoke your children, so that they won’t be discouraged.

Fathers, do not be so hard on your children that they will give up trying to do what is right.

22 S ervants, 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.

You who are servants who are owned by someone, obey your owners. Work hard for them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Work for them as you would for the Lord because you honor God.

23 A nd whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,

Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.

24 k nowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

Remember that you will get your reward from the Lord. He will give you what you should receive. You are working for the Lord Christ.

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

If anyone does wrong, he will suffer for it. God does not respect one person more than another.