1 Since then you have been raised with Christ, aim at what is above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God;
2 mind what is above, not what is on earth,
3 for you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you will appear with him in glory.
5 So put to death those members that are on earth: sexual vice, impurity, appetite, evil desire, and lust (which is idolatry),
6 things that bring down the anger of God on the sons of disobedience.
7 Once you moved among them, when you lived in them;
8 but off with them all now, off with anger, rage, malice, slander, foul talk!
9 Tell no lies to one another; you have stripped off the old nature with its practices,
10 and put on the new nature which is renewed in the likeness of its Creator for the knowledge of him.
11 In it there is no room for Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free man; Christ is everything and everywhere.
12 As God's own chosen, then, as consecrated and beloved, be clothed with compassion, kindliness, humility, gentleness, and good temper ??13 forbear and forgive each other in any case of complaint; as Christ forgave you, so must you forgive.
14 And above all you must be loving, for love is the link of the perfect life.
15 Also, let the peace of Christ be supreme within your hearts ??that is why you have been called as members of the one Body. And you must be thankful.
16 Let the inspiration of Christ dwell in your midst with all its wealth of wisdom; teach and train one another with the music of psalms, with hymns, and songs of the spiritual life; praise God with thankful hearts.
17 Indeed, whatever you say or do, let everything be done in dependence on the Lord Jesus, giving thanks in his name to God the Father.
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands; that is your proper duty in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, do not be harsh to them.
20 Children, obey your parents at every point, for this pleases the Lord right well.
21 Fathers, avoid irritating your children, in case they get dispirited.
22 Servants, obey your masters here below at every point; do not work simply when their eye is on you, like those who court human favour, but serve them with a single heart out of reverence for your Lord and Master.
23 Whatever be your task, work at it heartily, as servants of the Lord and not of men;
24 remember, you will receive from the Lord the inheritance which is your due; serve Christ your Lord and Master,
25 for the wrongdoer will be paid back for his wrongdoing ??there will be no favour shown.