Living as those made alive in Christ
1Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your3:4 Some manuscripts our life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
5Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.3:6 Some early manuscripts coming on those who are disobedient 7You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
12Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let 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. 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 Christian households
18Wives, submit yourselves 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,3:21 Or Parents do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism.
追求屬天的事
1你們既然和基督一同復活了，就應當追求天上的事，那裡有坐在上帝右邊的基督。 2你們要思想天上的事，而不是地上的事， 3因為你們的舊生命已經死了，你們的新生命與基督一同藏在上帝裡面。 4基督就是你們的新生命，祂顯現的時候，你們也必和祂一起在榮耀中顯現。
5所以，你們要治死身上屬世的罪惡，如淫亂、污穢、邪情、惡慾和貪心，貪心就是拜偶像， 6因為上帝的烈怒必臨到做這些事的悖逆之人。 7你們過去也和他們一樣過著罪惡的生活， 8但現在必須杜絕這一切的惡事，如怒氣、憤恨、惡毒、毀謗和污言穢語。 9不要彼此說謊，因為你們已經脫去了舊人和舊的行為， 10穿上了新人。這新人在知識上不斷更新，更像他的造物主。 11從此，不再分希臘人、猶太人，受割禮的、未受割禮的，野蠻人、未開化的人3·11 「未開化的人」希臘文是「西古提人」。，奴隸和自由人，基督就是一切，並且貫穿一切。
12所以，你們既然是上帝所揀選的，是聖潔、蒙愛的人，就要心存憐憫、恩慈、謙虛、溫柔和忍耐。 13倘若彼此之間有怨言，總要互相寬容，彼此饒恕，主怎樣饒恕你們，你們也要照樣饒恕他人。 14最重要的是要有愛，愛能把一切完美地聯合在一起。 15要讓基督的平安掌管你們的心，你們就是為此而蒙召成為一個身體。要常存感恩的心。 16要將基督的話豐豐富富地存在心裡，用各樣智慧彼此教導，互相勸誡，以感恩的心用詩篇、聖樂、靈歌頌讚上帝。 17你們無論做什麼事、說什麼話，都要奉主耶穌的名而行，並藉著祂感謝父上帝。
和諧家庭
18你們作妻子的，要順服丈夫，信主的人應當這樣做。 19你們作丈夫的，要愛妻子，不可惡待她們。 20你們作兒女的，凡事要聽從父母，因為這是主所喜悅的。 21你們作父親的，不要激怒兒女，免得他們灰心喪志。 22你們作奴僕的，凡事要聽從你們世上的主人，不要只做討好人的表面工夫，要以敬畏主的心真誠服侍。 23無論做什麼事，都要發自內心，像是為主做的，而不是為人做的， 24因為你們知道自己一定會從主那裡得到基業為獎賞。你們事奉的是主基督， 25凡作惡的人終必自食惡果，因為上帝不偏待人。
