Study Desk

So if you have been raised with the Messiah, seek what is above, where the Messiah is, seated at the right hand of God.^(a)

Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth.^(b)

For you have died,^(c) and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.

When the Messiah, who is your^[a] life, is revealed,^(d) then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.^(e)

Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature:^[b] sexual immorality, impurity,^(f) lust,^(g) evil desire, and greed,^(h) which is idolatry.⁽ⁱ⁾

Because of these, God's wrath^(j) comes on the disobedient,^[c]

and you once walked in these things when you were living^(k) in them.

But now you must also put away^(l) all the following: anger,^(m) wrath,⁽ⁿ⁾ malice,^(o) slander,^(p) and filthy language from your mouth.^(q)

Do not lie^(r) to one another, since you have put off^(s) the old self^[d](t) with its practices

and have put on^(u) the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your^[e] Creator.^(v)

In Christ^[f] there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian,^[g] slave and free; but Christ is all and in all.^(w)

Therefore, God's chosen ones, holy and loved,^(x) put on heartfelt compassion, kindness,^(y) humility,^(z) gentleness,^(aa) and patience,^(ab)

accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive.^(ac)

Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity.

And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called^(ad) in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful.

Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God.

And whatever you do, in word or in deed, do everything in the name^(ae) of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.^(af)

Husbands,^(ag) love your wives^(ah) and don't be bitter^(ai) toward them.

Children,^(aj) obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers,^(ak) do not exasperate^(al) your children, so they won't become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your human^(am) masters in everything. Don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.^(an)

Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically,^[h] as something done for the Lord and not for men,^(ao)

²⁴knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ.

²⁵For the wrongdoer^(ap) will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Masters,^(a) supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

Devote yourselves^(b) to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving.

At the same time, pray also for us that God may open a door^(c) to us for the message, to speak the mystery of the Messiah,^(d) for which I am in prison,^(e)

so that I may reveal it as I am required to speak.

Act wisely toward outsiders, making the most of the time.^(f)

Your speech should always be gracious, seasoned with salt,^(g) so that you may know how you should answer each person.^(h)

Tychicus,⁽ⁱ⁾ our dearly loved brother, faithful^(j) servant, and fellow slave in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, so that you may know how we are^[a] and so that he may encourage^(k) your hearts.^(l)

He is with Onesimus,^(m) a faithful and dearly loved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you about everything here.

Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, greets you, as does Mark,⁽ⁿ⁾ Barnabas's^(o) cousin (concerning whom you have received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

and so does Jesus who is called Justus. These alone of the circumcision are my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

Epaphras,^(p) who is one of you, a slave of Christ Jesus, greets you. He is always contending^(q) for you in his prayers, so that you can stand mature and fully assured^[b] in everything God wills.^(r)

For I testify about him that he works hard^[c](s) for you, for those in Laodicea,^(t) and for those in Hierapolis.

Luke, the dearly loved physician, and Demas^(u) greet you.

Give my greetings to the brothers in Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her home.^(v)

When this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.

And tell Archippus,^(w) "Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it."^(x)

This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. Remember my imprisonment.^(y) Grace be with you.^[d](z)