1   Were you not raised to life with Christ? Then aspire to the realm above, 2   where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, and let your thoughts dwell on that higher realm, not on this earthly life. 3   I repeat, you died; and now your life lies hidden with Christ in God. 4   When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you too will be manifested with him in glory.

5   Then put to death those parts of you which belong to the earth— fornication, indecency, lust, foul cravings, and the ruthless greed which is nothing less than idolatry. 6   Because of these, God's dreadful judgement is impending; 7   and in the life you once lived these are the ways you yourselves followed. 8   But now you must yourselves lay aside all anger, passion, malice, cursing, filthy talk—have done with them! 9   Stop lying to one another, now that you have discarded the old nature with its deeds and have put on the new nature, 10   which is being constantly renewed in the image of its Creator and brought to know God. 11   There is no question here of Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman; but Christ is all, and is in all.

12   Then put on the garments that suit God's chosen people, his own, his beloved: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. 13   Be forbearing with one another, and forgiving, where any of you has cause for complaint: you must forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14   To crown all, there must be love, to bind all together and complete

The centre of Christian belief the whole. 15   Let Christ's peace be arbiter in your hearts; to this peace you were called as members of a single body. And be filled with gratitude. 16   Let the message of Christ dwell among you in all its richness. Instruct and admonish each other with the utmost wisdom. Sing thankfully in your hearts to God, ^note with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. 17   Whatever you are doing, whether you speak or act, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

18   Wives, be subject to your husbands; that is your Christian duty. 19    20   Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for that is pleasing to God and is the Christian way. 21   Fathers, do not exasperate your children, for fear they grow disheartened. 22   Slaves, give entire obedience to your earthly masters, not merely with an outward show of service, to curry favour with men, but with single-mindedness, out of reverence for the Lord. 23   Whatever you are doing, put your whole heart into it, 24   as if you were doing it for the Lord and not for men, knowing that there is a Master who will give you your heritage as a reward for your service. Christ is the Master whose slaves you must be. 25   Dishonesty will be requited, and he has no favourites.

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