Colossians 3

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.

1God raised you to new life with Christ. So look for the things above. That is where Christ sits at God's right side.

NoteSitting at someone's right side meant having the highest place of honor next to them.

2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

2Keep your mind on the things above. Do not think only about things here on earth.

3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

3Your old life died. Your new life is kept safe with Christ in God.

4When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

4Christ is your life. One day he will be seen by all. Then you will be seen with him, shining bright.

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

5So put to death the wrong things in your old earthly self. These are using your body in wrong ways, living dirty lives, and bad wishes inside you. They also include always wanting more and more, which is like worshiping a false god.

6For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

6God's anger is coming because of these things. It comes on people who will not obey him.

7In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

7You used to live that way too. Those things filled your days.

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

8But now put all these away. Get rid of anger, rage, and wanting to hurt people. Get rid of mean talk about others and dirty words from your mouth.

NoteThe old word here is "blasphemy." In this verse it means saying hurtful, untrue things about other people.

9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

9Do not lie to each other. You have taken off your old self and the things it did.

10And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

10You have put on a new self. God keeps making it new so you know him better. It is growing to look like God, who made it.

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

11Here it does not matter if you are Greek or Jew. It does not matter if you have the mark of God's people or not. It does not matter if you come from a far country, or if you are a slave or free. Christ is everything, and Christ is in all of us.

NoteThe mark is circumcision, a mark on the body that showed a man belonged to the Jewish people. The old words "Barbarian" and "Scythian" meant people from lands far away who spoke other languages.

12Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;

12God chose you. He set you apart, and he loves you. So put these on like clothes: a caring heart, kindness, a humble mind, gentleness, and patience.

13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

13Put up with each other. Forgive each other when someone upsets you. The Lord forgave you, so forgive others the same way.

14And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

14Most of all, put on love. Love ties all these things together and makes them complete.

15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

15Let the peace of Christ be the ruler in your hearts. God called you to that peace, since you all belong together as one body. And say thank you.

16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

16Let the message of Christ live in you fully. Teach each other and warn each other wisely. Sing songs from the Bible and other songs of praise. Sing with thanks in your hearts to God.

17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

17Whatever you say and whatever you do, do it all for the Lord Jesus. Through him, say thank you to God the Father.

18Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

18Wives, let your husbands lead you. This is the right thing to do in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

19Husbands, love your wives. Do not be harsh or mean to them.

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

20Children, obey your parents in everything. This makes the Lord glad.

21Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

21Fathers, do not keep upsetting your children. If you do, they will stop trying.

22Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

22Servants, obey your masters here on earth in everything. Do not work well only when they are watching you. Work with an honest heart, because you honor God.

NoteThe word for "servants" here means slaves, people who were owned by a master.

23And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

23Whatever you do, do it with your whole heart. Do it for the Lord, not for people.

24Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

24You know the Lord will pay you back. He will give you the gift he is keeping for his family. You are serving the Lord Christ.

25But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

25Anyone who does wrong will be paid back for that wrong. God treats every person the same way.