Put on the New Self

1If then you have been raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.

2Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

3For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.

4Whenever Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

5Therefore put to death your members on the earth: sexual immorality, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry.

6Because of which things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience,

7in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them.

8But now you yourselves are to put off all these: wrath, anger, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.

9Do not lie to one another, since you have laid aside the old man with his practices,

10and have put on the new man who is renewed in full knowledge according to the image of Him who created it,

11where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.

Character of the New Man

12Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience;

13forbearing one another and forgiving yourselves, if anyone should have a complaint against any; just as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

14But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.

15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16Let 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.

17And whatsoever you may do in word or deed, do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Instructions for Christian Households

18Wives, subject yourselves to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.

20Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing in the Lord.

21Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22Bondservants, obey your masters according to the flesh in all things, not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

23And whatever you may do, work it from your soul, as to the Lord and not to men,

24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ.

25But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.