Put On the New Self

¹ Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ,^* strive for the things above, where Christ^* is seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. ³ For you died, and your life is now hidden^* with Christ in God. ⁴ When Christ,^* who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

⁵ Put to death, therefore, the components^* of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.⁷ When you lived among them, you also used to walk in these ways. ⁸ But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

⁹ Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, ¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. ¹¹ Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but Christ is^* all and is in all.

¹² Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Bear with one another^* and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, for to this you were called as members of one body. And be thankful.

¹⁶ Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach^* and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms,^* hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, in word^* or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Christian Households

¹⁸ Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

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

²¹ Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged.

Serving with Honor

²² Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord.

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, as for the Lord and not for men, ²⁴ because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. ²⁵ Whoever does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.