⁸ But food does not bring us near to God;^(A) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,^(A) but of righteousness, peace^(B) and joy in the Holy Spirit,^(C)

⁹ Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.^(A) It is good for our hearts to be strengthened^(B) by grace, not by eating ceremonial foods,^(C) which is of no benefit to those who do so.^(D)

¹³ You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.”^(A) The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord,^(B) and the Lord for the body.

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(A) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(B) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(C) 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^(D) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(E) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(F) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.