(A)See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through (B)philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the (C)elementary principles of the world, [a]rather than in accordance with Christ. For in Him all the (D)fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been (E)made [b]complete, and (F)He is the head [c]over every (G)ruler and authority; 11 and in Him (H)you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands, in the removal of (I)the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been (J)buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also (K)raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who (L)raised Him from the dead. 13 And [d]when you were (M)dead [e]in your wrongdoings and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He (N)made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our wrongdoings, 14 having canceled (O)the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and (P)He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 When He had [f](Q)disarmed the (R)rulers and authorities, He (S)made a public display of them, having (T)triumphed over them through [g]Him.

16 Therefore, no one is to [h](U)act as your judge in regard to (V)food and (W)drink, or in respect to a (X)festival or a (Y)new moon, or a (Z)Sabbath [i]day— 17 things which are only a (AA)shadow of what is to come; but the [j]substance [k]belongs to Christ. 18 Take care that no one keeps [l](AB)defrauding you of your prize by (AC)delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, [m]taking his stand on visions he has seen, [n](AD)inflated without cause by his (AE)fleshly mind, 19 and not holding firmly to (AF)the head, from whom (AG)the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and [o]ligaments, grows with a growth [p]which is from God.

20 (AH)If you have died with Christ [q]to the (AI)elementary principles of the world, (AJ)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to (AK)decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer (AL)to things destined to perish [r]with use)—in accordance with the (AM)commandments and teachings of man?

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:8 Lit and not
  2. Colossians 2:10 Lit full
  3. Colossians 2:10 Lit of
  4. Colossians 2:13 Or although
  5. Colossians 2:13 Or by reason of
  6. Colossians 2:15 Or divested Himself of
  7. Colossians 2:15 Or it; i.e., the cross
  8. Colossians 2:16 Lit judge you
  9. Colossians 2:16 Or days
  10. Colossians 2:17 Lit body
  11. Colossians 2:17 Lit of Christ
  12. Colossians 2:18 Or deciding against you
  13. Colossians 2:18 Or going into detail about
  14. Colossians 2:18 Or conceited
  15. Colossians 2:19 Lit bonds
  16. Colossians 2:19 Lit of God
  17. Colossians 2:20 Lit from
  18. Colossians 2:22 Or by being consumed

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