Epistula ad Colossenses, 3

1. Igitur, si conresurrexistis Chri sto, quae sursum sunt quaerite, ubi Christus est in dextera Dei sedens;

1. If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

2. quae sursum sunt sapite, non quae supra terram.

2. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

3. Mortui enim estis, et vita vestra abscondita est cum Christo in Deo!

3. For you have died, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

4. Cum Christus apparuerit, vita vestra, tunc et vos apparebitis cum ipso in gloria.

4. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5. Mortificate ergo membra, quae sunt super terram: fornicationem, immunditiam, libidinem, concupiscentiam malam et avaritiam, quae est simulacrorum servitus,

5. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

6. propter quae venit ira Dei super filios incredulitatis;

6. On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

7. in quibus et vos ambulastis aliquando, cum viveretis in illis.

7. In these you once walked, when you lived in them.

8. Nunc autem deponite et vos omnia: iram, indignationem, malitiam, blasphemiam, turpem sermonem de ore vestro;

8. But now put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and foul talk from your mouth.

9. nolite mentiri invicem, qui exuistis vos veterem hominem cum actibus eius

9. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old nature with its practices

10. et induistis novum, eum, qui renovatur in agnitionem secundum imaginem eius, qui creavit eum,

10. and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

11. ubi non est Graecus et Iudaeus, circumcisio et praeputium, barbarus, Scytha, servus, liber, sed omnia et in omnibus Christus.

11. Here there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scyth'ian, slave, free man, but Christ is all, and in all.

12. Induite vos ergo, sicut electi Dei, sancti et dilecti, viscera misericordiae, benignitatem, humilitatem, mansuetudinem, longanimitatem,

12. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,

13. supportantes invicem et donantes vobis ipsis, si quis adversus aliquem habet querelam; sicut et Dominus donavit vobis, ita et vos;

13. forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

14. super omnia autem haec: caritatem, quod est vinculum perfectionis.

14. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

15. Et pax Christi dominetur in cordibus vestris, ad quam et vocati estis in uno corpore. Et grati estote.

15. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

16. Verbum Christi habitet in vobis abundanter, in omni sapientia docentes et commonentes vosmetipsos psalmis, hymnis, canticis spiritalibus, in gratia cantantes in cordibus vestris Deo;

16. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

17. et omne, quodcumque facitis in verbo aut in opere, omnia in nomine Domini Iesu gratias agentes Deo Patri per ipsum.

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.

18. Mulieres, subditae estote viris, sicut oportet in Domino.

18. Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19. Viri, diligite uxores et nolite amari esse ad illas.

19. Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.

20. Filii, oboedite parentibus per omnia; hoc enim placitum est in Domino.

20. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21. Patres, nolite ad indignationem provocare filios vestros, ut non pusillo animo fiant.

21. Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

22. Servi, oboedite per omnia dominis carnalibus, non ad oculum servientes, quasi hominibus placentes, sed in simplicitate cordis, timentes Dominum.

22. Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord.

23. Quodcumque facitis, ex animo operamini sicut Domino et non hominibus,

23. Whatever your task, work heartily, as serving the Lord and not men,

24. scientes quod a Domino accipietis retributionem hereditatis. Domino Christo servite;

24. knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you are serving the Lord Christ.

25. qui enim iniuriam facit, recipiet id quod inique gessit, et non est personarum acceptio.

25. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.