\NormalFont\ShortTitle{COLOSSIANS}
{\MTB This book is a letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians at Colossae. We call this book
\par }{\MT Colossians

\par }\ChapOne{1}{\SH Colossians 1:1-2
\par }{\SH I, Paul, am sending this letter to you, who are God’s people in Colossae. We pray that God will bless you.
\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}I,
Paul,
{\ADD{
am
writing
this
letter
to
you}},
and
our
fellow believer
Timothy
{\ADD{
is
with
me}}.
I
am
an apostle
who represents
Christ
Jesus,
because
that
is
what
God
wanted.
\VS{2}{\ADD{
I
am
sending
this
letter}}
to
you
who
are
in
Colossae
{\ADD{
city}},
and
who
are
God’s
people,
and
our
faithful
fellow
believers
who
have
a
close relationship
with
Christ.
We
pray
that
God
our
Father
will
be
acting
kindly towards
you,
and
that
he
will
cause
you
to
have
{\ADD{
inner}}
peace.
\par }{\SH We
thank
God
for
you
very
often
that
you
believe
in
Christ
Jesus
and
that
you
love
all
God’s
people.
\par }{\SR Colossians 1:3-8
\par }{\PP \VS{3}Very
often [HYP]
we
thank
God,
the
Father
of
our
Lord
Jesus
Christ,
while
we
are
praying
for
you,
\VS{4}because
we
have
heard
that
you
believe
in
Christ
Jesus,
and
that
you
love
all
God’s
people.
\VS{5}You
do
that
because
you
confidently
expect
to
receive
that
which
God
is ◄reserving/keeping
safe►
for
you
in
heaven,
which
you
heard
about
previously
when
you
heard
the
true
message,
that
is,
the
message
{\ADD{
about Christ}}.
\VS{6}{\ADD{
People}}
proclaimed
it [PRS]
to
you,
just
like
{\ADD{
people}}
have
proclaimed
it
in
many
different
countries [HYP, IDM].
The
true
message
is
changing
more
and
more
people’s
lives,
just
like
it
changed
your
lives
because
you
heard
it
and
you
truly
experienced
that
God
acts
kindly towards
us
in
ways
we
do
not
deserve.
\VS{7}That
is
just
what
Epaphras
taught
you
{\ADD{
would
happen}}.
We
love
Epaphras.
He
serves
Christ
together
with
us
and
works
for
Christ
faithfully
for
your
benefit.
\VS{8}He
told
us
that
you
love
{\ADD{
all
God’s
people}},
just
like
God’s
Spirit
{\ADD{
has
enabled
you
to}} (OR,
spiritually).
\par }{\SH We
have
also
been
praying
very
often
to
God
for
you.
We
pray
that
you
will
know
truly
all
that
he
wants
you
to
do,
in
order
that
you
will
conduct
yourselves
as
the
Lord’s
people
should.
\par }{\SR Colossians 1:9-12
\par }{\PP \VS{9}Because
of
what
we
heard
about
you,
we
have
also
been
praying [LIT]
very
often
to
God
for
you [HYP],
ever
since
we
heard
this
report
about
you.
We
pray
that
you
will
truly
know
all
that
God
wants
you
to
do;
that
is,
that
you
will
become
very
wise,
and
that
you
will
understand
spiritual
matters
well.
\VS{10}We
have
been
praying
like
that
in
order
that
you
will
conduct
yourselves
as
the
Lord’s
people
should
conduct
themselves,
in
order
that
you
will
please
the
Lord
in
every
way.
Specifically,
we
have
been
praying
like
that
in
order
that
you
will
be
doing
every
sort
of
good
deed [IDM]
and
in
order
that
you
will
be
getting
to
know
God
truly,
more
and
more.
\VS{11}And
we
pray
that
{\ADD{
God}}
will
greatly
strengthen
you
{\ADD{spiritually}}
with
the
mighty
power
that
he
has
shown
{\ADD{
to
people}},
in
order
that
you
will
always
be
steadfast
and
patient
{\ADD{
when
you
experience difficulties}},
while
{\ADD{
at
the
same
time}}
you
will
be
rejoicing.
\VS{12}And
we
pray
that
you
will
be
thanking
God
our
Father,
because
he
has
enabled
you/us
to
receive
the
things
that
he
will
give
to
his
people
in
heaven [SYN].
\par }{\SH God
our
Father
has
caused
you
to
be
ruled
by
his
Son,
who
existed
before
and
ranks
above
everything
that
has
been
created.
\par }{\SR Colossians 1:13-20
\par }{\PP \VS{13}God
our
Father
rescued
us
{\ADD{spiritually}}
so
that
the
evil
one
no
longer
rules
us [MET, MTY],
and
he
caused
us
now
to
be
ruled
by
his
Son,,
whom
he
loves.
\VS{14}That
is,
because
of
our relationship
with
his
Son (OR,
because
of
what
the
one
who
is
also
God
did),
God
has
redeemed/bought
us;
in
particular,
he
has
forgiven
our
sins.
\VS{15}God’s
Son
reveals
perfectly
what
God,
his
Father,
is
like,
whom
no
one
can
see.
God’s
Son
existed
before
and
ranks
above
everything
that
God
has
created.
\VS{16}When
God
created
everything
that
is
on
the
earth,
he
did
it
by
having
his
Son
do
it.
He
created
everything
that
{\ADD{
people}}
can
see,
and
also
everything
which
is
in
heaven
that
{\ADD{
people}}
cannot
see.
In
particular,
his
Son
created
all
ranks
of
important
spirit
beings.
{\ADD{
And
his
Son
ranks
above
everything}},
because
God
by
the
work
of
had
his
Son,
and
because
by
his
Son
all
things
were
created $\{$because
{\ADD{
God}}
had
his
Son
create
everything$\}$
in
order
that
everything
might
praise
his
Son,
\VS{17}and
because
it
is
his
Son
who
existed
before
anything
else
existed,
and
because
God
sustains
everything
by
what
his
Son
{\ADD{
does}}.
\VS{18}And
{\ADD{
God’s
Son
ranks
above
everything}},
because
it
is
his
Son
who
{\ADD{
rules
over
his
people}} [MET]
{\ADD{
as
a
person’s}}
head
{\ADD{
controls
his physical}}
body,
because
his
Son
causes
his
people
to
live
{\ADD{spiritually}}.
{\ADD{
God’s
Son}}
is
the
first
one
who
became
alive
again,
in
order
that
he
should
become
more
important
than
anything
and
everyone.
\VS{19}{\ADD{
God’s
Son
reveals
perfectly
what
God
his
Father
is
like}},
because
his
Father
chose
to
live
completely
in
him.
\VS{20}{\ADD{
God
our
Father
caused
his
Son
to
rule
us}},
because
he
decided
to
reconcile
with
himself
everything
that
is
on
earth
and
that
is
in
heaven
by
what
his
Son
did,
in
order
that
everything
might
honor
his
Son;
that
is,
God
our
Father
decided
to
reconcile
everything
to
himself
as
a
result
of
his
{\ADD{
Son’s}}
blood
{\ADD{
flowing
when
he
died}}
on
the
cross.
\par }{\SH An alternative
arrangement
of
the
sentences
of Colossians 1:13-19
\par }{\PP [The chiastic
material
is rearranged
below
so
that
the
directly
related propositional
clusters
are
joined
together.]
\par }{\PP 13
God
our
Father
rescued
us
{\ADD{spiritually}}
so
that
we
are
no
longer
ruled
by
the
evil
one,
and
God
our
Father
caused
us
now
to
be
ruled
by
his
Son (OR,
the
man
who
is
also
God)
whom
he
loves. 14a
That
is,
by
means
of
what
his
Son
did,
we
have
been
redeemed
by
God,
our
Father. 14b
In
particular,
our
sins
have
been
forgiven
by
God,
our
Father. 20
God,
our
Father,
has
done
this
because
he
decided
to
reconcile
to
himself,
by
means
of
his
Son,
everything
that
is
on
earth
and
that
is
in
heaven,
in
order
that
his
Son
might
be
honored;
that
is,
God,
our
Father
decided
to
reconcile
everything
to
himself
by
means
of
God’s
Son’s
blood
{\ADD{
flowing
out
when
he
died}}
on
the
cross. 15b
God
cannot
be
seen
by
anyone, 15a
but
his
Son
reveals
perfectly
what
God—his
Father—is
like, 19a
because
it
is
in
his
Son
that
the
Father
chose 19b
that
he
himself
would
dwell
completely. 15c
God’s
Son
ranks
above
everything 15d
that
has
been
created, 16
because
it
was
by
means
of
God’s
Son
that
God
created
everything
that
is
on
the
earth
and
that
can
be
seen
by
people,
and
also
everything
that
is
in
heaven
and
that
cannot
be
seen
by
people.
In
particular,
all
types
of
important
spirit
beings
were
created
by
means
of
him,
since
everything
has
been
created
by
God
by
means
of
God’s
Son.
And
his
Son
ranks
above
everything,
because
everything
has
been
created
by
God,
in
order
that
God’s
Son
might
be
honored
by
everything, 17
and
because
it
is
he
who
existed
before
anything
else
existed,
and
since
everything
is
sustained
by
God
by
means
of
God’s
Son. 18
And
God’s
Son
ranks
above
everything
because
it
is
he
who
{\ADD{
rules
over
all believers,
just
like
a
person’s}}
head
{\ADD{
controls
his physical
body,
because
he
causes
all believers
to
live spiritually}}.
His
Son
is
the
first
one
who
rose
from
among
those
who
have
died,
in
order
that
he
should
become
more
important
than
everything
and
everyone.
\par }{\SH As
for
you,
God
our
Father
has
now reconciled
you
to
himself.
\par }{\SR Colossians 1:21-23
\par }{\PP \VS{21}As
for
you,
{\ADD{
although}}
formerly
God
{\ADD{
considered
you
his}}
enemies (OR,
{\ADD{
God
considered
you}}
as
alienated
{\ADD{
from
him}})
and
{\ADD{
although}}
you
were
formerly
hostile
{\ADD{
to
God}}
because
you
thought
evil
thoughts
and
because
you
did
evil
deeds,
\VS{22}nevertheless,
God
our
Father
has
now reconciled
you
{\ADD{
with
himself.
He
did
that}}
as
a
result
of
his
Son
dying
physically.
He
did
it
in
order
that
you
should
be
completely
holy
when
he
brings
you
into
his
presence.
\VS{23}He
wants
you
to
continue [DOU]
to
believe
the
message
about Christ;
specifically,
he
wants
you
to
continue
to
be
stable/steadfast
and
to
continue
to
confidently
expect
to
receive
that
which
you
heard
about
when
you
heard
that
message.
That
message
has
been
proclaimed $\{$They
have
proclaimed
that
message$\}$
to
people
in
very
many
places [HYP];
and
I,
Paul,
also
become
someone
who
tells
it
to
people.
\par }{\SH I
am completing
what Christ
appointed
me
to
do,
that
I
should
suffer physically
for
the
benefit
of
the church.
And
I
proclaim
the
previously unrevealed
message
about Christ
to
every
class
of
persons.
\par }{\SR Colossians 1:24-29
\par }{\PP \VS{24}At
the
present
time
I
am
rejoicing
that
I
am
suffering
for
your
benefit;
that
is,
I
am completing
what
Christ
{\ADD{
decided}}
that
I
should
suffer
physically
for
the
benefit
of
all believers,
{\ADD{
who
are
as
dear
to
him
as}}
his
own
body.
\VS{25}I
myself
became
someone
who
serves
God’s
people,
because
I
was
appointed $\{${\ADD{
God}}
appointed
me$\}$
to
be
responsible
to
{\ADD{
help}}
you
{\ADD{
who
are non-Jews}}.
I
became
one
who
serves
God’s
people
in
order
that
I
should
make
known
to
you non-Jews
the
whole
message
from/about
God.
\VS{26}{\ADD{
We
did
not
know
this
message
previously;
that
is,
God}}
concealed
it
from
{\ADD{
the
people
who
lived
in
all}}
the
previous
ages,
but
he
has
now
revealed
it
to
his
people.
\VS{27}That
is,
God
decided
to
reveal
to
them
this
message,
which
declares
that
he
will
greatly
bless
the non-Jews.
Specifically,
this
message
declares
that
Christ,
{\ADD{
by
his
Spirit}},
will
live
in
you
who
are non-Jews,
with
the
result
that
you
confidently
expect
that
you
will
experience
how
glorious
{\ADD{
God
is}}.
\VS{28}We
tell
about
Christ
{\ADD{
to
every
class
of
persons}};
we
warn
them,
and
specifically,
we
teach
everyone
very
wisely.
We
do
this
in
order
that
every
person
who ◄has
a
close relationship
with/is
united
to►
Christ
may
be ◄all
that
God
wants
them
to
be/perfect►
when
we
present
them
to
Christ.
\VS{29}In
order
that
I
might
{\ADD{
achieve/accomplish
this}},
I
am
also
working
very
hard, depending
on Christ
to empowering
me
very
greatly.

\par }\Chap{2}{\SH I am exerting myself very greatly on your behalf in order that you might truly know the message about Christ, in order that no one might delude you.
\par }{\SR Colossians 2:1-5
\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}In
particular,
I
want
you
to
realize
that
I
am ◄exerting
myself
very
greatly/working
very
hard►
on
your
behalf,
on
behalf
of
those
who
are
in
Laodicea
{\ADD{
city}},
and
on
behalf
of
all
those
others
who
have
not
seen
me
personally.
\VS{2}I
am
doing
this
in
order
that
they
and
you [SYN]
might
be
strengthened
{\ADD{spiritually}}
as
you
are
united
in
loving
{\ADD{
one
another}}.
And
I
am
doing
this
in
order
that
they
and
you
might
fully
and
thoroughly [DOU]
understand
the
message
that
God
has
now
revealed;
that
is,
in
order
that
they
and
you
might
truly
know
the
message
from
God
our
Father
and
about
Christ,
\VS{3}who
alone
is
able
to
cause
them
and
you
to
understand
thoroughly [DOU]
{\ADD{
this
very
important
message}}.
\VS{4}I
am
telling
you
this
in
order
that
no
one
may
deceive
you
by
persuasive
arguments;
\VS{5}because,
even
though
I
am
absent
from
you physically,
I
am
very
concerned
about
you.
At
the
same
time,
I
am
rejoicing
because
I
know
that
you
are
united
{\ADD{
with
each
other}}
and
that
you
believe
firmly
in
Christ.
\par }{\SH Conduct
yourselves
as
those
who
are
united
to
Christ
Jesus
our
Lord
should
conduct
themselves.
\par }{\SR Colossians 2:6-7
\par }{\PP \VS{6}In
a
way
that
is ◄consistent/in harmony►
with
{\ADD{
the
message
that}}
you
received
about
Christ
Jesus,
who
is
our
Lord,
conduct
yourselves
as
you
should,
since
you
have
a
close relationship
with
him.
\VS{7}Specifically,
continue
believing
and
practicing [MET, DOU]
what
you
were
first
taught
about Christ.
Continue
to
do
this
more
and
more;
continue
to
fIrmly
believe
all
the
true
teaching,
just
like
{\ADD{Epaphras}}
taught
it
to
you.
And
continue
thanking
{\ADD{
God,
our
Father}},
very
much
{\ADD{
for
all
that
he
has
done
for
you}}.
\par }{\SH Make
sure
that
no
one
makes
you
become
his
disciples
by
teaching
you
a
false religious philosophy,
since
you
are spiritually
complete
because
you
are
united
to Christ.
\par }{\SR Colossians 2:8-15
\par }{\PP \VS{8}Make
sure
that
no
one
forces
you
{\ADD{(pl)}}
to
become
his
disciples [MET]
by
his
teaching
you
a religious
philosophy/doctrine
that
is
worthless
and
false.
Such
a
philosophy
is
false
because
it
teaches
what
mere
human
beings
think,
because
it
teaches
people
elementary
regulations/rules
{\ADD{
that
are
concerned
merely
with
what
is external/physical}},
and
because
it
teaches
what
is
contrary
to
{\ADD{
the
true
teaching
about}}
Christ.
\VS{9}It
is
in Christ’s
body
that
God
lives
completely.
\VS{10}And
you
are spiritually
complete
because
you
have
a
close relationship
with Christ,
who
rules
over
every
other
ruler.
\VS{11}Specifically,
because
of
your
close relationship
with
Christ,
it
is
as
though [MET]
you
were
circumcised $\{$Christ
circumcised
you$\}$
{\ADD{spiritually}}.
This
does
not
mean
that
someone
circumcised
you
physically [MTY],
but
it
means
that
Christ
completely
removed
your self-directed nature.
\VS{12}And
specifically,
when
you
were baptized,
{\ADD{
it
was
as
though}} [MET]
you
{\ADD{
had
died
and}}
were
buried
with Christ,
and
{\ADD{
it
was
as
though}} [MET]
God
caused
you
to
live
again
with Christ
as
a
result
of
your
believing
that
God
acted powerfully;
specifically,
by
your
believing
that
God
caused Christ
to
become
alive
again.
\VS{13}And
specifically,
you
{\ADD{
who
are non-Jews}},
because
of
your
sins,
you
were
{\ADD{spiritually}}
dead
{\ADD{
before
you
trusted
in Christ}}.
You
were
uncircumcised
{\ADD{spiritually}};
that
is,
your self-directed nature
controlled
you.
Nevertheless,
it
was
you
whom
God
caused
to
become
alive
{\ADD{spiritually
because
of
their
close relationship}} [MET]
with Christ.
And
specifically,
God
forgave
us
all
our
sins.
\VS{14}{\ADD{
It
is
just}}
as
{\ADD{
though}}
he
canceled ◄{\ADD{
the
charges}}
against
us/the
sins
{\ADD{
that
we
had
committed}}►
for
which
{\ADD{
God}}
will
punish
us.
And
{\ADD{
it
was
just}}
as
{\ADD{
though}} [MET]
it
was
{\ADD{
the
charges
on}}
that
document/paper
that
he
canceled
by
nailing
them
to
the
cross
{\ADD{
when
they
nailed Christ
on
the
cross}}.
\VS{15}And
specifically,
God
defeated
the
{\ADD{
evil}}
spirit
beings
that
rule,
and
he
demonstrated/showed
that
publicly;
that
is,
he
triumphed
over
them
as
a
result
of
what
{\ADD{Christ
did}}.
\par }{\SH Disregard
those
who
condemn
you
because
you
do
not
obey
certain
regulations
and
because
you
do
not
worship
God
as
they insist
that
you
should.
\par }{\SR Colossians 2:16-19
\par }{\PP \VS{16}So
disregard
anyone
who
says
that
God
will
punish
you
because
you
eat
{\ADD{
certain
foods}}
and
because
you
drink
{\ADD{
certain
drinks}}
or
because
{\ADD{
you
do
not
celebrate}}
special
{\ADD{
yearly}}
festivals
or
celebrate
the
time
when
the
new
moon
{\ADD{
appears}}
or weekly ◄Sabbaths/Jewish
days
of
rest►.
\VS{17}{\ADD{
Disregard
such
people}}
because
those
{\ADD{
regulations/rules
about
food
and
drink
and
festivals}}
are
{\ADD{
only}}
like
a
shadow [MET]
{\ADD{
that
is
cast
by
something
that
is
approaching;
that
is,
they
merely
represent}}
the real
spiritual
blessings
that
Christ
{\ADD{
has
given
to
you}}.
\VS{18}Disregard
those
who
say
that
God
will
punish
you
because
{\ADD{
you
do
not
worship
God
in
the
way
that}}
they
say
{\ADD{
that
you
should}};
that
is,
they insist
that
you
should
humiliate
yourselves
and
that
you
should
worship
the
angels.
{\ADD{
Disregard
such
people}}
since
they
base
their
authority
on
things
that
they
have
never
seen,
and
since
they
are
proud
without
reason
because
their self-directed nature
{\ADD{
controls}}
what
they
think,
\VS{19}and
since
they
do
not
teach
the
true
teaching
about Christ [MET].
{\ADD{Christ
is
the
one
who
causes
all
of
his
people
to develop/grow spiritually
as
God
plans
that
they
should develop/grow,
just
like}} [MET]
a
person’s
head
directs
how
his
body
grows,
as
it
is
held
together
by
its
joints
and
ligaments.
\par }{\SH Do
not
submit
to elementary
regulations,
which
are
concerned
merely
with
what
is external.
\par }{\SR Colossians 2:20-23
\par }{\PP \VS{20}{\ADD{
It
is
as
though}} [MET]
you
died
with
Christ.
So
{\ADD{
you
no
longer
have
to
obey}}
elementary
regulations/rules
{\ADD{
that
are
concerned
merely
with
what
is external/physical,
just
like
a
dead
person
no
longer
has
to
do
anything}}.
So,
do
not
submit
to
regulations/rules
\VS{21}such
as ‘Do
not
handle
{\ADD{
certain
things}}’, ‘Do
not
taste
{\ADD{
certain
things}}’, ‘Do
not
touch
{\ADD{
certain
things}}’,
as
if
you
still
had
to
obey
such
regulations/rules.
\VS{22}All
those
things
are
intended
to
cease
to
exist
when
we
use
them.
{\ADD{
And
do
not
obey
such
regulations/rules}},
because
they
are
what
mere
human
teachers
command
and
teach.
\VS{23}{\ADD{
Do
not
obey
such}}
regulations/rules;
they
only
cause
people
to
do
what
their self-directed nature
wants
to
do.
{\ADD{
Those
regulations}}
seem
to
be
wise
because
they
{\ADD{
urge
people
to}}
worship
as
mere
human
teachers
have
decided.
{\ADD{
They
urge}}
that
{\ADD{
people}}
should
humiliate
themselves,
and
that
{\ADD{
people}}
should
treat
their
bodies
harshly.
But
those
regulations/rules
do
not
help
{\ADD{
people}}
at
all
to
not
do
the
sinful
things
that
their self-directed nature
wants
to
do.

\par }\Chap{3}{\SH Be constantly wanting what is associated with heaven.
\par }{\SR Colossians 3:1-4
\par }{\PP \VerseOne{1}You
now
are
alive
{\ADD{spiritually}},
and
{\ADD{
it
is
as
though
you
were
given
new
life}} $\{${\ADD{
God
caused
you
to
become
alive}}$\}$
when
he
caused
Christ
to
become
alive
again.
So
be
constantly
wanting
what
is
associated
with
heaven [MTY],
where
Christ
is.
There
God
has
given
him supreme
authority
and
the
highest
honor.
\VS{2}Be
constantly
wanting
the
blessings
that
God
has
prepared
for
you
in
heaven [MTY].
Do
not
be
constantly
wanting
{\ADD{
to
do
the
evil
deeds
that
people
on}}
earth
do [MTY],
\VS{3}because
you
have
{\ADD{
ceased
to
behave
as
you
formerly
did.
You
are
like
people
who
have}}
died.
You
now
live
{\ADD{spiritually}}
together
with
Christ
in
{\ADD{
the
presence
of}}
God;
and
{\ADD{
people}}
cannot
see
that
{\ADD{
you
have
a
new
life}}.
\VS{4}When
Christ,
who
causes
you
to
live
{\ADD{spiritually}},
is
publicly
revealed,
then
God
will
also
reveal
you
publicly
together
with
Christ,
{\ADD{
and
you
together
with
Christ
will
be}}
glorious.
\par }{\SH Do
not
do
what
is
evil.
\par }{\SR Colossians 3:5-11
\par }{\PP \VS{5}{\ADD{
Get
rid
of
your
evil
practices/deeds}} [MET, MTY]
{\ADD{
as
though
they
were
enemies
whom}}
you
were
killing (OR,
{\ADD{
Stop
doing
evil
things}} [MET, MTY],
just
as
dead
people
do
not
do
what
is
evil).
Specifically,
do
not
practice
sexual
immorality.
Do
not
commit unnatural
sexual
acts.
Do
not
desire
to
act
like
that,
and
do
not
desire
{\ADD{
to
do
anything
that
is}}
evil.
Do
not
desire
to
have
more
things
than
you
need,
because,
if
you
do
that,
you
are ◄worshipping
material
things
instead
of
worshipping
God/making
material
things
to
become
your
god►.
\VS{6}{\ADD{
Do
not
behave
like
that}}
since
God
will
punish [MTY]
those
who
disobey
him,
because
of
their
sins.
\VS{7}You
also
formerly
did
those
things
when
you
were disobeying
God.
\VS{8}Now,
however,
as
for
you,
do
not
do
any
of
these
evil
deeds:
Do
not
get
angry
in
any
way [DOU].
Do
not
act
maliciously.
Do
not ◄slander/talk
evil
about►
people.
Do
not
talk abusively
to
people.
\VS{9}Do
not
lie
to
one
another.
Do
not
do
those
things,
because
you
have ◄disposed
of/stopped
obeying►
your
former
evil nature
and
stopped
doing
what
you
did
when
you
had
that
former
{\ADD{
evil}} nature,
\VS{10}and
because
you
have
received
a
new nature.
God
is
causing
your
new nature
to
become
more
and
more
like
his
own nature.
He
created
your
new nature
in
order
that
{\ADD{
you
might
get
to}}
know
{\ADD{
God}}
truly.
\VS{11}As
a
result
of
that,
it
is
not
{\ADD{
important
whether
anyone
is
a}} non-Jew
or
a
Jew,
or
{\ADD{
whether
anyone
is}}
circumcised
or
not,
or
{\ADD{
whether
anyone
is}}
a
foreigner,
or
even uncivilized,
or
{\ADD{
whether
anyone
is}}
a
slave
or
not
a
slave.
But
{\ADD{
what
is
important
is}}
Christ,
who
is supremely
important
in
every
way.
\par }{\SH Do
what
is
good;
in
particular,
love
one
another.
\par }{\SR Colossians 3:12-14
\par }{\PP \VS{12}Because
God
has
chosen
you
to
be
his
people;
and
because
he
loves
you,
be
compassionate
to
one
another.
Be
kind
to
one
another.
Be
humble.
Be
meek (OR,
be considerate
toward
one
another),
be
patient
with
one
another,
\VS{13}and
tolerate
one
another’s flaws.
Forgive
one
another,
if
one
of
you
has
a
grudge/complaint
against
another.
Just
like
the
Lord
{\ADD{
Jesus
freely/willingly}}
forgave
you,
you
too
{\ADD{
must
freely/willingly
forgive
one
another}}.
\VS{14}And
what
is
more
important
than
all
of
these
is
that
you
love
one
another,
because
by
doing
that
you
will
be
perfectly
united
together.
\par }{\SH Continue
to
be
at
peace
with
one
another,
be
constantly
thanking
God,
and
continue
getting
to
know
thoroughly
the
message
about Christ.
\par }{\SR Colossians 3:15-16
\par }{\PP \VS{15}Because
God
chose
you
to
live
peacefully
{\ADD{
with
one
another}}
in
your local
congregations,
let
that
peace
which
Christ
gives
control
your ◄inner
beings/hearts►,
and
be
constantly
thanking
God.
\VS{16}And
continue
to
let
the
message
about
Christ
govern/direct
all
you
think
and
do,
as
you
very
wisely
teach
and
warn
one
another
with
psalms
and
hymns
and
spiritual
songs (OR,
songs
that
God’s
Spirit
{\ADD{
gives
you}}),
while
you
sincerely
and thankfully
sing
to
God.
\par }{\SH Do
everything
in
the
manner
that
those
who
are
the
people
of
the
Lord
Jesus
should
do.
\par }{\SR Colossians 3:17
\par }{\PP \VS{17}Whatever
you
say,
and
whatever
you
do,
do
all
of
this
in
the
manner
that
those
who
are
representatives [MTY]
of
the
Lord
Jesus
{\ADD{
should
do}},
while
you
constantly
thank
God,
our
Father,
as
you
ask
the
Lord
Jesus
to
take
your
prayers
to
God.
\par }{\SH Wives,
be
subject
to
your
husbands;
husbands,
love
your
wives.
\par }{\SR Colossians 3:18-19
\par }{\PP \VS{18}You
women,
be
subject
to
your
husbands,
since
that
is
what
you
should
do
because
you
have
a
close relationship
with
the
Lord
{\ADD{
Jesus}}.
\VS{19}You
men,
love
your
wives;
and,
do
not
be
harsh
with
them.
\par }{\SH Children,
obey
your
parents
in
every circumstance;
parents,
do
not over-correct
your
children.
\par }{\SR Colossians 3:20-21
\par }{\PP \VS{20}You
children,
obey
your
parents
in
every
circumstance,
because
the
Lord
{\ADD{
God}}
is
pleased
when
you
do
that.
\VS{21}You
parents (OR,
you
fathers),
do
not
correct
your
children
more
than
you
need
to,
in
order
that
they
do
not
become
discouraged.
\par }{\SH Slaves,
obey
your
masters
in
every circumstance
sincerely
and
wholeheartedly;
masters,
provide
for
your
slaves
justly
and
fairly.
\par }{\SR Colossians 3:22—4:1
\par }{\PP \VS{22}You
slaves,
obey
your
earthly
masters
in
every
circumstance.
Do
not
obey
your
masters
only
when
they
are
watching [MTY]
you,
like
those
who
{\ADD{
merely}}
want
to
impress
their
masters
favorably.
Instead,
obey
your
masters
sincerely.
Do
this
because
you
reverence
the
Lord
{\ADD{
Jesus}} (OR,
{\ADD{
God}}).
\VS{23}Whatever
{\ADD{
work}}
you
do,
work
wholeheartedly.
Work
wholeheartedly,
like
those
who
are
working
for
the
Lord
{\ADD{
Jesus}}.
Do
not
work
like
those
who
are
working
{\ADD{
merely}}
for
{\ADD{
their}}
masters,
\VS{24}because
you
know
that
it
is
the
Lord
who
will
{\ADD{
properly/justly}}
repay
you.
That
is,
you
will
receive
what
God
has
promised.
{\ADD{
Remember
that}}
it
is
Christ
who
is
the real
master
whom
you
are
serving.
\VS{25}But
{\ADD{
God}}
will
judge
everyone impartially.
He
will
punish
you
according
to
what
you
have
done
that
is
wrong.

\par }\Chap{4}{\PP \VerseOne{1}You
masters,
treat
your
slaves
justly
and
fairly,
because
you
know
that
you
have
a
master
who
is
in
heaven
{\ADD{
who
will
say
whether
he
approves
of
what
you
have
done}}.
\par }{\SH Pray
to
God
persistently.
And
pray
that
God
will
give
me opportunities
to
declare
the
message
about
Christ.
\par }{\SR Colossians 4:2-4
\par }{\PP \VS{2}Pray
to
God
persistently,
and
as
you
pray,
be
alert
and
be
thanking
God.
\VS{3}Since
I
am
in
prison [MTY]
because
{\ADD{
I
declared
the
message
about
Christ}}
that
God
has
now
revealed,
pray
also
for
me
that
God
will
give
me opportunities [MTY]
to
speak,
in
order
that
I
might
declare
it.
\VS{4}That
is,
pray
for
me
that
{\ADD{
God
will
enable
me
to}}
make
his
message
known
publicly.
I
need
to
do
this
because
I
know
that
I
should
declare
it.
\par }{\SH Always
speak
wisely
and
graciously
to
those
who
do
not
believe
in
the
Lord
Jesus.
\par }{\SR Colossians 4:5-6
\par }{\PP \VS{5}Act
wisely towards
those
who
do
not
believe
in
the
Lord
Jesus [MTY];
use
every
opportunity
to
do
that.
\VS{6}In
particular,
always
speak
graciously
and
in
a
pleasant
way
{\ADD{
to
those
who
do
not
believe
in
the
Lord
Jesus}}.
As
a
result,
you
will
come
to
know
in
what
manner
you
should
answer
each
one
of
them.
\par }{\SH Tychicus
will
tell
you
all
that
has
been
happening
to
me.
\par }{\SR Colossians 4:7-9
\par }{\PP \VS{7}Tychicus
will
tell
you
all
that
has
been happening
to
me.
He
is
a
fellow
believer
whom
I/we
{\ADD{(exc)}}
love
and
who
helps
me
faithfully
and
who
serves
the
Lord
{\ADD{
Jesus}}
together
with
me.
\VS{8}The
reason
that
I
am
sending Tychicus
to
you
{\ADD{
with
this
letter}}
is
that
he
might
know
how
you
are
and
in
order
that
he
might
strengthen
you
{\ADD{spiritually}}. (OR,
in
order
that
you
might
know
about
us
{\ADD{(exc)}}
and
in
order
that
he
might
comfort
you.)
\VS{9}I
am
sending
him
to
you
with
Onesimus,
who
is
a
faithful
fellow
believer
whom
I/we
{\ADD{(inc)}}
love
and
who
is
your
fellow townsman.
They
will
tell
you
all
about
what
has
been happening
here.
\par }{\SH My
fellow
workers
here
greet
you.
\par }{\SR Colossians 4:10-14
\par }{\PP \VS{10}Aristarchus,
who
is
in
prison
with
me,
and
Mark,
who
is Barnabas’ cousin, ◄say
that
they
are
thinking fondly
about
you/send
you
their greetings►.
I
have
instructed
you
about
Mark,
so
if
he
comes
to
you,
welcome
him.
\VS{11}Jesus,
who
is
also
called
Justus,
also ◄says
that
he
is
thinking fondly
about
you/greets
you/sends
you
his greetings►.
These
three
men
are
the
only
Jewish
{\ADD{believers}}
who
are
working
with
me
in
order
that
people
would
submit
to
God
as
their
king,
and
they
have
all
comforted
me.
\VS{12}Epaphras,
who
is
your
fellow townsman
and
who
serves
Christ
Jesus, ◄says
that
he
is
thinking fondly
about
you/greets
you/sends
you
his greetings►.
\par }{\PP Epaphras
prays
earnestly
for
you
very
often,
that
you
might
be spiritually
mature
and
that
you
might
know
fully
all
that
God
wills
for
you.
\VS{13}I
can
assure
you
that
he
prays
this
because
he
is
deeply
concerned
for
you,
for
those
who
live
in
Laodicea
{\ADD{
city}},
and
for
those
who
live
in
Hierapolis
{\ADD{
city}}.
\VS{14}Luke,
the
doctor,
whom
I/we
{\ADD{(exc)}}
love,
and
Demas ◄say
that
they
are
thinking fondly
about
you/send
you
their greetings►.
\par }{\SH Obey
these
instructions.
\par }{\SR Colossians 4:15-17
\par }{\PP \VS{15}Tell
the
fellow believers
who
live
in
Laodicea
{\ADD{
city}}
and
Nympha\FTNT{*}{{\FR 4:15 }
meets in his house. [Nympha is a name for a woman.]}
and
the
congregation
that
{\ADD{
meets}}
in
her
house
that
we ◄are
thinking fondly
about
them/send
them
our greetings►.
\VS{16}After
{\ADD{
someone}}
reads
this
letter
{\ADD{
publicly}}
to
you,
cause
{\ADD{
someone}}
to
also
read
it
to
the
congregation
that
is
in
Laodicea
{\ADD{
city}}.
And
as
for
the
{\ADD{
letter
that
I
wrote
to
the
congregation
that
is
in}}
Laodicea
{\ADD{
city}},
make
sure
that
it
is
also
read
among
you $\{$you
should
also
read
that
letter$\}$
publicly.
\VS{17}Say
to Archippus, “Make
sure
that
you
complete
the
task
that
God
appointed
you
to
do,
because
you
have
a
close relationship
with
the
Lord
Jesus.”
\par }{\SH I,
Paul,
am penning
this
myself
in
order
that
you
may
know
that
this
letter
was
sent
by
me.
Remember
to
pray
about
the
fact
that
I
am
in
prison.
\par }{\SR Colossians 4:18
\par }{\PP \VS{18}I,
Paul, ◄am
thinking fondly
about
you/send
you
my greetings►.
Having
taken
the
pen
from
my
scribe,
I
am
now
writing
this
myself
in
order
that
you
may
know
that
I
have
truly
sent
this
letter.
Remember
to
pray
about
the
fact
that
I
am
in
prison [MTY].
I
pray
that
our
Lord
Jesus Christ
would
continue
to
act
graciously towards
you
all.
\par }