1 If ye then be
risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where
Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye
also appear with him in glory.
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness,
which is idolatry:
6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children
of disobedience:
7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication out of your mouth.
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old
man with his deeds;
10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge
after the image of him that created him:
11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision,
Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in
all.
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
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.
14 And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond
of perfectness.
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.
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.
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.
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is
fit in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well
pleasing unto the Lord.
21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be
discouraged.
22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the
flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness
of heart, fearing God:
23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and
not unto men;
24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the
inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.
25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which
he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Chapter 4
1 Masters, give
unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that
ye also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a
door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which
I am also in bonds:
4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the
time.
6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that
ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved
brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord:
8 Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might
know your estate, and comfort your hearts;
9 With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one
of you. They shall make known unto you all things which are
done here.
10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth you, and Marcus, sister's
son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received commandments: if
he come unto you, receive him;)
11 And Jesus, which is called Justus, who are of the circumcision.
These only are my fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which
have been a comfort unto me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth
you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye
may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you,
and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.
14 Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.
15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and Nymphas, and
the church which is in his house.
16 And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be
read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise
read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou
hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
18 The salutation by the hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds.
Grace be with you. Amen. |