Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 225
3:16–4:11
C o l o ssia n s
213
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and
counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns
and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or
say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him
to God the Father.
Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the
Lord.
Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly.
Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers,
do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged.
Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please
them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever
you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.
Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and
that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you
will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites.
Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a
Master—in heaven.
Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart. Pray
for us, too, that God will give us many opportunities to speak about his
mysterious plan concerning Christ. That is why I am here in chains. Pray
that I will proclaim this message as clearly as I should.
Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of
every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that
you will have the right response for everyone.
Tychicus will give you a full report about how I am getting along. He is a
beloved brother and faithful helper who serves with me in the Lord’s work.
I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are
doing and to encourage you. I am also sending Onesimus, a faithful and
beloved brother, one of your own people. He and Tychicus will tell you
everything that’s happening here.
Aristarchus, who is in prison with me, sends you his greetings, and so
does Mark, Barnabas’s cousin. As you were instructed before, make Mark
welcome if he comes your way. Jesus (the one we call Justus) also sends his
greetings. These are the only Jewish believers among my co-workers; they
