Colossians 3 Parallel Bible Translations

Colossians 3 ▼
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1 Therefore if you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, sharing in His resurrection from the dead], keep seeking the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
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]. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
3 For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
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]. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.
6 Because of these [sinful] things the [divine] wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience [those who fail to listen and who routinely and obstinately disregard God’s precepts], On account of these the wrath of God is coming. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.
7 and in these [sinful things] you also once walked, when you were habitually living in them [without the knowledge of Christ]. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.
8 But now rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, malice, slander, and obscene (abusive, filthy, vulgar) language from your mouth. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
9 Do not lie to one another, for you have stripped off the old self with its evil practices, Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
10 and have put on the new [spiritual] self who is being continually renewed in true knowledge in the image of Him who created the new self— and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
11 a renewal in which there is no [distinction between] Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, [nor between nations whether] barbarian or Scythian, [nor in status whether] slave or free, but Christ is all, and in all [so believers are equal in Christ, without distinction]. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
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]; Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
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. bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
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]. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
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]. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
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. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.
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. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. And 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.
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands [out of respect for their position as protector, and their accountability to God], as is proper and fitting in the Lord. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
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]. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents [as God’s representatives] in all things, for this [attitude of respect and obedience] is well-pleasing to the Lord [and will bring you God’s promised blessings]. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
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]. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
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. Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.
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, Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
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. knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
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]. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.
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