⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;^(A) rather, train yourself to be godly.^{(B) 8} For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,^(C) holding promise for both the present life^(D) and the life to come.^(E)

¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility^(A) and the worship of angels disqualify you.^(B) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head,^(C) from whom the whole body,^(D) supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.^(E)

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(F) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(G) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(H) 21} “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(I) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(J) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(K) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

¹³ “Make level paths for your feet,”^[a](A) so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.^(B)

Warning and Encouragement

¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone^(C) and to be holy;^(D) without holiness no one will see the Lord.^(E)