Colossians 2:20-23

English Standard Version

²⁰If with Christ ^(A)you died to the ^(B)elemental spirits of the world, ^(C)why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations— ²¹^(D)“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” ²²(^(E)referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to ^(F)human precepts and teachings? ²³These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in ^(G)promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are ^(H)of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

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Colossians 2:20-23

New American Standard Bible

²⁰^(A)If you have died with Christ ^[a]to the ^(B)elementary principles of the world, ^(C)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to ^(D)decrees, such as, ²¹“Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” ²²(which all refer ^(E)to things destined to perish ^[b]with use)—in accordance with the ^(F)commandments and teachings of man? ²³These are matters which do have the ^[c]appearance of wisdom in ^[d]^(G)self-made religion and humility and ^(H)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against ^(I)fleshly indulgence.

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Footnotes

Colossians 2:20 Lit from
Colossians 2:22 Or by being consumed
Colossians 2:23 Lit report; Gr logos
Colossians 2:23 Or would-be religion

Colossians 2:20-23

New International Version

²⁰Since 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!”? ²²These 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) ²³Such 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.