Love (A)is patient, love is kind and (B)is not jealous; love does not brag and is not (C)arrogant,

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Love is patient,(A) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.(B)

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12 So, as those who have been (A)chosen of God, holy and beloved, (B)put on a (C)heart of compassion, kindness, (D)humility, gentleness and [a](E)patience; 13 (F)bearing with one another, and (G)forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; (H)just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. 14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is [b](I)the perfect bond of (J)unity. 15 Let (K)the peace of Christ [c]rule in your hearts, to which [d]indeed you were called in (L)one body; and [e]be thankful. 16 Let (M)the word of [f]Christ richly dwell within you, [g]with all wisdom (N)teaching and admonishing [h]one another (O)with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, (P)singing [i]with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 (Q)Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, (R)giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Family Relations

18 (S)Wives, (T)be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 (U)Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 (V)Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing [j]to the Lord. 21 (W)Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so that they will not lose heart.

22 (X)Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters [k]on earth, (Y)not with [l]external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work [m]heartily, (Z)as for the Lord [n]rather than for men, 24 (AA)knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward [o]of (AB)the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you (AC)serve. 25 For (AD)he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and [p](AE)that without partiality.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:12 I.e. forbearance toward others
  2. Colossians 3:14 Lit the uniting bond of perfection
  3. Colossians 3:15 Or act as arbiter
  4. Colossians 3:15 Lit also
  5. Colossians 3:15 Or show yourselves thankful
  6. Colossians 3:16 One early ms reads the Lord
  7. Colossians 3:16 Or in
  8. Colossians 3:16 Or one another, singing with psalms...
  9. Colossians 3:16 Or by; lit in His grace
  10. Colossians 3:20 Lit in
  11. Colossians 3:22 Lit according to the flesh
  12. Colossians 3:22 Lit eyeservice
  13. Colossians 3:23 Lit from the soul
  14. Colossians 3:23 Lit and not
  15. Colossians 3:24 I.e. consisting of
  16. Colossians 3:25 Lit there is no partiality

12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves(A) with compassion, kindness, humility,(B) gentleness and patience.(C) 13 Bear with each other(D) and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.(E) 14 And over all these virtues put on love,(F) which binds them all together in perfect unity.(G)

15 Let the peace of Christ(H) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body(I) you were called to peace.(J) And be thankful. 16 Let the message of Christ(K) dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom(L) through psalms,(M) hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.(N) 17 And whatever you do,(O) whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks(P) to God the Father through him.

Instructions for Christian Households(Q)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands,(R) as is fitting in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21 Fathers,[a] do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance(S) from the Lord as a reward.(T) It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.(U)

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 3:21 Or Parents

[a]To sum up, (A)all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, (B)brotherly, (C)kindhearted, and (D)humble in spirit;

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Peter 3:8 Or Finally

Suffering for Doing Good

Finally, all of you, be like-minded,(A) be sympathetic, love one another,(B) be compassionate and humble.(C)

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