Seek The Things Above
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
1 Therefore if you have been (A)raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, (B)seated at the right hand of God.
1 So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.(A)
1 Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah, keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
2 Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.
2 Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value].
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
4 When Christ, (E)who is our life, is revealed, (F)then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
4 When the Messiah, who is your(a) life, is revealed,(D) then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.(E)
4 When the Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.
Put Off The Old Behavior
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
5 (G)Therefore (b)consider (H)the members of your earthly body as dead to (c)(I)immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which (d)amounts to idolatry.
5 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature:(b) sexual immorality, impurity,(F) lust,(G) evil desire, and greed,(H) which is idolatry.(I)
5 So put to death your worldly impulses: sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).
5 So put to death and deprive of power the evil longings of your earthly body [with its sensual, self-centered instincts] immorality, impurity, sinful passion, evil desire, and greed, which is [a kind of] idolatry [because it replaces your devotion to God].
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.
8 But now you also, (L)put them all aside: (M)anger, wrath, malice, slander, and (N)abusive speech from your mouth.
8 But now you must also put away(L) all the following: anger,(M) wrath,(N) malice,(O) slander,(P) and filthy language from your mouth.(Q)
8 But now you must also get rid of anger, wrath, malice, slander, obscene speech, and all such sins.
8 But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth.
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:
10 and have (Q)put on the new self who is being (i)(R)renewed to a true knowledge (S)according to the image of the One who (T)created him—
10 and have put on(U) the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your(e) Creator.(V)
10 and have clothed yourselves with the new nature, which is being renewed in full knowledge, consistent with the image of the one who created it.
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.
11 a renewal in which (U)there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, (V)circumcised and uncircumcised, (j)(W)barbarian, Scythian, (X)slave and freeman, but (Y)Christ is all, and in all.
11 In Christ(f) there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,(g) slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.(W)
11 In him there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free person. Instead, the Messiah is all and in all.
Appeal For New Behavior
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
12 So, as those who have been (Z)chosen of God, holy and beloved, (AA)put on a (AB)heart of compassion, kindness, (AC)humility, gentleness and (k)(AD)patience;
12 Therefore, God’s chosen ones, holy and loved,(X) put on heartfelt compassion, kindness,(Y) humility,(Z) gentleness,(AA) and patience,(AB)
12 Therefore, as God's chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
12 So, as God’s own chosen people, who are holy [set apart, sanctified for His purpose] and well-beloved [by God Himself], put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience [which has the power to endure whatever injustice or unpleasantness comes, with good temper];
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
13 (AE)bearing with one another, and (AF)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; (AG)just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
13 accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.(AC)
13 Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also should forgive.
13 bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity.
14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity.
14 Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].
15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
15 Let (AJ)the peace of Christ (m)rule in your hearts, to which (n)indeed you were called in (AK)one body; and (o)be thankful.
15 And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called(AD) in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.
15 Let the peace of the Messiah also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful.
15 Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always].
16 Let 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.
16 Let (AL)the word of (p)Christ richly dwell within you, (q)with all wisdom (AM)teaching and admonishing (r)one another (AN)with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, (AO)singing (s)with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
16 Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.
16 Let the word of the Messiah inhabit you richly with wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, and singing to God with thankfulness in your hearts.
16 Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind—permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And 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.
17 (AP)Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, (AQ)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
17 And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name(AE) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
17 And whatever you do, whether by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
17 Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Mutual Responsibilities In Christian Relationships
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.
19 Husbands, love your wives [with an affectionate, sympathetic, selfless love that always seeks the best for them] and do not be embittered or resentful toward them [because of the responsibilities of marriage].
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
21 Fathers, do not make your children resentful. Otherwise, they'll become discouraged.
21 Fathers, do not provoke or irritate or exasperate your children [with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by favoritism or indifference; treat them tenderly with lovingkindness], so they will not lose heart and become discouraged or unmotivated [with their spirits broken].
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
22 (AW)Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters (u)on earth, (AX)not with (v)external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.
22 Slaves, obey your human(AM) masters in everything. Don’t work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.(AN)
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched in order to please them, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.
22 Servants, in everything obey those who are your masters on earth, not only with external service, as those who merely please people, but with sincerity of heart because of your fear of the Lord.
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
23 Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.
23 Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men,
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
24 (AZ)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward (y)of (BA)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (BB)serve.
24 knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.
24 You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Messiah whom you are serving!
24 knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
25 For (BC)he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and (z)(BD)that without partiality.
25 For the wrongdoer(AP) will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism. >
25 For the person who does what is wrong will be paid back for what he has done without favoritism.
25 For he who does wrong will be punished for his wrongdoing, and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person’s position in life].