We are the people of God. God loved us and chose us for God's own service. So then, we must clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of us has a complaint against someone else. We must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven us. And to all these qualities add love, which binds all things together in perfect unity. The peace that Christ gives is to guide us in the decisions we make: for, it is to this peace that God has called us together in one body. And be thankful. Christ's message in all its richness must live in our hearts. Teach and instruct one another with all wisdom. Sing psalms, hymns and sacred songs. Sing to God with thanksgiving in our hearts. Everything we do or say, then should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as we give thanks through him to God.

(COLOSSIANS 3:12-17, Today's English Version, emended)