Seek The Things Above

1 If then you people have been raised up together with Christ [i.e., from your burial in immersion, See 2:12-13 with Rom. 6:4], pay attention to the things that are above [i.e., heavenly things], where Christ is seated at the right side of God.

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 Focus your minds on the things that are above, not on earthly things.

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

2 (a)(C)Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

2 Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.(B)

2 Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth.

3 For you died [with Christ, See 2:20], and your life is [now] hidden with Christ in [fellowship with] God.

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

3 For you have (D)died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

3 For you have died,(C) and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.

3 For you have died, and your life has been safely guarded by the Messiah in God.

4 [So], when Christ, who is your [or, "our" source of] life, appears [i.e., at His second coming], then you people also will appear with Him in splendor [i.e., in heaven].

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 So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing the desires of] your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry.

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).

6 For the wrath of God will come [upon disobedient people] for practicing such things.

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

6 For it is because of these things that (J)the wrath of God will come (e)upon the sons of disobedience,

6 Because of these, God’s wrath(J) comes on the disobedient,(c)

6 It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.

7 You people also once lived like this when you practiced these things.

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

7 and (K)in them you also once walked, when you were living (f)in them.

7 and you once walked in these things when you were living(K) in them.

7 You used to behave like them as you lived among them.

8 But now you also should stop practicing them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language from your mouth.

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.

9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put away [the conduct of] your old person with its practices,

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

9 (g)(O)Do not lie to one another, since you (P)laid aside the old (h)self with its evil practices,

9 Do not lie(R) to one another, since you have put off(S) the old self(d)(T) with its practices

9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old nature with its practices

10 and have put on the new person, who is being [daily] renewed with full knowledge, according to the image of God, who [re-] created him.

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 [In this state] there cannot be [such distinctions as] Greek [i.e., Gentile] and Jew; circumcised people and non-circumcised people; barbarian and Scythian [Note: These last two words refer to foreigners whose language was unintelligible and who were uncivilized heathens], or slave and free person; but Christ is all [that is important] and [He is] in all [of His people].

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 So, as God's elect [i.e., His people], holy and dearly loved [by Him], clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

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.

13 Tolerate one another's [weaknesses] and forgive each other if anyone [of you] has a complaint against someone else. You should forgive people just as the Lord forgave you.

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.

14 And beyond all these things, clothe yourselves with love, which binds these things together in complete [unity].

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

14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is (l)(AH)the perfect bond of (AI)unity.

14 Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity.

14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which ties everything together in unity.

15 You should let the peace given by Christ rule in your hearts, since you people were called [to be at peace] in one body [i.e., the church]; and you should be thankful.

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.

16 You should let the message of Christ live in you abundantly [i.e., as individuals and collectively]. Use [much] wisdom in teaching and warning one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with favor [i.e., with thankfulness] in your hearts toward God.

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.

17 And whatever you do, whether in [your] words or actions, do everything in the name [i.e., by the authority] of Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

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.

Mutual Responsibilities In Christian Relationships

18 You wives should submit to your husbands, as this is proper in [the fellowship of] the Lord.

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

18 (AR)Wives, (AS)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

18 Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.(AF)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord.

19 You husbands should love your wives and not be harsh toward them.

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

19 (AT)Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them.

19 Husbands,(AG) love your wives(AH) and don’t be bitter(AI) toward them.

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

20 You children should obey your parents in everything, for this is very pleasing to the Lord.

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

20 (AU)Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing (t)to the Lord.

20 Children,(AJ) obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

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

21 You fathers [Note: By implication, this would include both parents] should not stir up your children [i.e., irritate or exasperate them], so that they do not become discouraged.

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

21 (AV)Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

21 Fathers,(AK) do not exasperate(AL) your children, so they won’t become discouraged.

21 Fathers, do not make your children resentful. Otherwise, they'll become discouraged.

22 You slaves should obey your earthly masters in everything, [and] do not do it just when they are looking [at you], or to gain their favor, but do it with a sincere heart, out of reverence for the Lord.

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.

23 In whatever you do, work wholeheartedly, as though it were for the Lord and not [just] for people,

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

23 Whatever you do, do your work (w)heartily, (AY)as for the Lord (x)rather than for men,

23 Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically,(h) as something done for the Lord and not for men,(AO)

23 Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.

24 knowing that you will receive from the Lord a [spiritual] inheritance as a reward, [for] you are [really] serving the Lord.

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!

25 And the person who does what is wrong will be repaid for his wrongdoing, for there is no favoritism [with God].

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.

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