⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(A) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world^(B) rather than on Christ.

⁹ For in Christ all the fullness^(C) of the Deity lives in bodily form, ¹⁰ and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head^(D) over every power and authority.^(E)

¹² Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.^(A)

True and False Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’^(A) will enter the kingdom of heaven,^(B) but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.^(C)

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers^(A)

⁴⁶ While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother^(B) and brothers^(C) stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

⁴⁸ He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven^(D) is my brother and sister and mother.”

The Wise and Foolish Builders^(A)

⁴⁶ “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’^(B) and do not do what I say?^{(C) 47} As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice,^(D) I will show you what they are like. ⁴⁸ They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete.”

²⁷ As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out, “Blessed is the mother who gave you birth and nursed you.”^(A)

²⁸ He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God^(B) and obey it.”^(C)

³⁹ You study^[a] the Scriptures^(A) diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life.^(B) These are the very Scriptures that testify about me,^{(C) 40} yet you refuse to come to me^(D) to have life.

¹⁷ Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.^(A)

¹³ For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey^(A) the law who will be declared righteous.