New Revised Standard NRS
The Bible in Basic English BBE
1 So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
1
If then you have a new life with Christ, give your attention to the things of heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth,
2
Keep your mind on the higher things, not on the things of earth.
3 for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
3
For your life on earth is done, and you have a secret life with Christ in God.
4 When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
4
At the coming of Christ who is our life, you will be seen with him in glory.
5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry).
5
Then put to death your bodies which are of the earth; wrong use of the flesh, unclean things, passion, evil desires and envy, which is the worship of strange gods;
6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.
6
Because of which the wrath of God comes on those who go against his orders;
7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life.
7
Among whom you were living in the past, when you did such things.
8 But now you must get rid of all such things—anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth.
8
But now it is right for you to put away all these things; wrath, passion, bad feeling, curses, unclean talk;
9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices
9
Do not make false statements to one another; because you have put away the old man with all his doings,
10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator.
10
And have put on the new man, which has become new in knowledge after the image of his maker;
11 In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
11
Where there is no Greek or Jew, no one with circumcision or without circumcision, no division between nations, no servant or free man: but Christ is all and in all.
12 As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.
12
As saints of God, then, holy and dearly loved, let your behaviour be marked by pity and mercy, kind feeling, a low opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, and a power of undergoing all things;
13 Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.
13
Being gentle to one another and having forgiveness for one another, if anyone has done wrong to his brother, even as the Lord had forgiveness for you:
14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
14
And more than all, have love; the only way in which you may be completely joined together.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
15
And let the peace of Christ be ruling in your hearts, as it was the purpose of God for you to be one body; and give praise to God at all times.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
16
Let the word of Christ be in you in all wealth of wisdom; teaching and helping one another with songs of praise and holy words, making melody to God with grace in your hearts.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
17
And whatever you do, in word or in act, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving praise to God the Father through him.
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
18
Wives, be under the authority of your husbands, as is right in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
19
Husbands, have love for your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is your acceptable duty in the Lord.
20
Children, do the orders of your fathers and mothers in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, or they may lose heart.
21
Fathers, do not be hard on your children, so that their spirit may not be broken.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord.
22
Servants, in all things do the orders of your natural masters; not only when their eyes are on you, as pleasers of men, but with all your heart, fearing the Lord:
23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters,
23
Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the Lord and not to men;
24 since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ.
24
Being certain that the Lord will give you the reward of the heritage: for you are the servants of the Lord Christ.
25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.
25
For the wrongdoer will have punishment for the wrong he has done, without respect for any man's position.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.