Colossians 3:12-21

Good News Translation

^12 (A)You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ^13 (B)Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you. ¹⁴ And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ The peace that Christ gives is to guide you in the decisions you make; for it is to this peace that God has called you together in the one body. And be thankful. ^16 (C)Christ's message in all its richness must live in your hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing to God with thanksgiving in your hearts. ¹⁷ Everything you do or say, then, should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks through him to God the Father.

Personal Relations in the New Life

^18 (D)Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, for that is what you should do as Christians.

^19 (E)Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

^20 (F)Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God.

^21 (G)Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.