Colossians 3 (ESV)

25 verses · English Standard Version · Essentially literal

The ESV balances word-for-word accuracy with modern English readability. Favored by scholars and pastors for study and preaching, it preserves the structure of the original Hebrew and Greek while using clear, contemporary language.

Colossians Chapter 3 contains 25 verses and is presented here in the English Standard Version (ESV), which uses a essentially literal approach. Read the full text below, compare with other translations, or navigate to any of the 4 chapters in Colossians.

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

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

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

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

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

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

7In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

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

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

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

11Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

12Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,

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

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

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

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

17And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

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

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

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

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

22Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.

23Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,

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

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

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About This Translation

What is Colossians 3 in the ESV?

Colossians 3 in the English Standard Version (ESV) contains 25 verses. The ESV uses a essentially literal approach, first published in 2001 (rev. 2016).

How does the ESV translate Colossians 3 differently?

The English Standard Version uses essentially literal, balancing accuracy with modern readability. Compare this with the NIV (dynamic equivalence) version of Colossians 3 for a different perspective.

How many verses are in Colossians 3 (ESV)?

Colossians Chapter 3 contains 25 verses in the English Standard Version. The book of Colossians has 4 chapters total.

Colossians (ESV) — All 4 Chapters