Keep Focusing on the Messiah

3 Therefore, if you have been raised with the Messiah,^[a] keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah^[b] is seated at the right hand of God. ² Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. ³ For you have died, and your life has been safely guarded by the Messiah^[c] in God. ⁴ When the Messiah,^[d] who is^[e] your^[f] life, is revealed, then you, too, will be revealed with him in glory.

⁵ So put to death your worldly impulses:^[g] sexual sin, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). ⁶ It is because of these things that the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.^{[h] 7} You used to behave like them as you lived among them. 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, for you have stripped off the old nature with its practices 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 him^[i] there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian,^[j] slave, or free person. Instead, the Messiah^[k] is all and in all.

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness,^[l] and patience. ¹³ Be tolerant of one another and forgive each other if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord^[m] has forgiven you, you also should forgive.^{[n] 14} Above all, clothe yourselves with^[o] love, which ties everything together in unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of the Messiah^[p] also rule in your hearts, to which you were called in one body, and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of the Messiah^[q] 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 by speech or action, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Family Duties

¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is appropriate for those who belong to the Lord. ¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with^[r] them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. ²¹ Fathers, do not make your children resentful. Otherwise, they’ll become discouraged.

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 Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it^[s] for the Lord and not merely for people. ²⁴ You know that it is from the Lord that you will receive the inheritance as a reward. It is the Lord Messiah^[t] whom you are serving! ²⁵ For the person who does what is wrong will be paid back for what he has done without favoritism.