Set your minds on the things above
1So if you were raised with the Christ, seek the things above, where the Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on the things above, not on earthly things. 3For you have died, and your life is now hidden with the Christ in God. 4When the Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in the glory.
Putting off the old self
5Put to death, therefore, whatever in you belongs to the earth: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed—which is idolatry. 6It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. 7You used to walk in these ways, when you lived among them. 8But now you must rid yourselves of all such things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. 9Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, or free, but the Christ is all, and is in all.
Putting on the new self
12Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13Bear with one another, and forgive one another if anyone has a complaint against someone else. Just as the Lord forgave you, you also must forgive. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds everything together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of the Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to that peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of the Christ dwell among you richly. Teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Instructions for the household
18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they will become discouraged. 22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything—not only to please them while they are watching, as people-pleasers do, but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly, as for the Lord rather than for people, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you serve. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for the wrong they have done, and there is no favoritism.
