Chapter 3

  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.  

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  Keep your mind on the higher things, not on the things of earth.  

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  For your life on earth is done, and you have a secret life with Christ in God.  

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  At the coming of Christ who is our life, you will be seen with him in glory.  

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  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;  

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  Because of which the wrath of God comes on those who go against his orders;  

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  Among whom you were living in the past, when you did such things.  

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  But now it is right for you to put away all these things; wrath, passion, bad feeling, curses, unclean talk;  

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  Do not make false statements to one another; because you have put away the old man with all his doings,  

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  And have put on the new man, which has become new in knowledge after the image of his maker;  

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  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.  

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  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;  

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  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:  

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  And more than all, have love; the only way in which you may be completely joined together.  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  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.  

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  Wives, be under the authority of your husbands, as is right in the Lord.  

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  Husbands, have love for your wives, and be not bitter against them.  

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  Children, do the orders of your fathers and mothers in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord.  

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  Fathers, do not be hard on your children, so that their spirit may not be broken.  

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  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:  

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  Whatever you do, do it readily, as to the Lord and not to men;  

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  Being certain that the Lord will give you the reward of the heritage: for you are the servants of the Lord Christ.  

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  For the wrongdoer will have punishment for the wrong he has done, without respect for any man's position.  

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