⁴ I say this in order ^(A)that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive by ^(A)philosophy and ^(B)empty deceit, according to ^(C)human tradition, according to the ^(D)elemental spirits^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.

Let No One Disqualify You

¹⁶ Therefore let no one ^(A)pass judgment on you ^(B)in questions of food and drink, or with regard to ^(C)a festival or ^(D)a new moon or a Sabbath.

¹⁸ Let no one ^(A)disqualify you, ^(B)insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, ^(C)going on in detail about visions,^{[a] (D)}puffed up without reason by ^(E)his sensuous mind,

²⁰ If 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? ²³ These 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.