New Life in Christ

(Colossians 3:1–17)

17 So I tell [you] this, and insist [on it] in [the] Lord, [that] you {must} no longer walk as the other[fn] Gentiles do, in [the] futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in [their] understanding [and] alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sense of shame, [they] have given themselves over to sensuality for [the] practice of every kind of impurity, with a craving for more.

20 But this is not the way you came to know Christ. 21 Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him—in keeping with [the] truth that is in Jesus—22 to put off your former way of life, [your] old self, which is being corrupted by [its] deceitful desires; 23 to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25 Therefore each [of you] must put off falsehood [and] speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. 26 “Be angry, yet {do} not sin.”[fn] {Do} not {let} the sun set upon your anger, 27 [and] {do} not give the devil a foothold.

28 He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing good with [his] hands,[fn] that he may have [something] to share with the [one] [in] need.

29 {Let} no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the [one] in need [and] bringing grace to those who listen.

30 And {do} not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for [the] day of redemption.

31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. 32 Be kind [and] tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave us.[fn]