Colossians Chapter 2
1 I wish⁺ that you knew what great conflict~ I have endured for you, and for those at Laodicea and for all⁺ who have not even seen my face in the flesh,
2 so that their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love and enjoying all the riches of the full assurance of understanding, even to the acknowledgment of the mystery~ of God, and of the Father and of Christ
3 in whom all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid.
4 I say all this, lest anyone should deceive⁺ you with enticing words.
5 For even though I may be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing⁺ and beholding your order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so also walk in Him.
7 Be rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
8 Beware lest anyone spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions of men and after the things⁺ of the world, and not after Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.
10 You are complete in Him who is the head of all principalities and authorities⁺ and powers.
11 In Him also you are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.
12 You were buried with Him in baptism, in which you are also risen with Him through faith in the operation of God who has raised Him from the dead.
13 And to you, being dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has given life⁺ together with Him, having forgiven you for all trespasses~,
14 blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us. He took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.
15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Therefore, do not let anyone judge you in food⁺ or in drink or in respect of a holy day or of the new Moon or of the Sabbath days.
17 These are a shadow of things to come. But the body is of Christ.
18 Do not let anyone deceive⁺ you into selfwilled⁺ humility of your own pretense and worshiping angels, intruding into things that have not been seen but vainly puffed up by the fleshly mind,
19 not holding fast the Head from which all the body, by joints and bands having nourishment ministered to them and knit together, increases by the increase of God.
20 Therefore, if you are dead with Christ from the things⁺ of the world, then why, as though living in the world, are you subject to ordinances:
21 Do not touch. Do not taste. Do not handle.
22 All this is subject to corruption according to the use, commandments, and doctrines of men.
23 These things indeed have the appearance⁺ of wisdom in selfwilled⁺ worship and humility and neglecting of the body but they are not of any honor for they satisfy the flesh.