⁸ See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy,^(A) which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces^[a] of this world^(B) rather than on Christ.

²⁹ The Lord your God will cut off^(A) before you the nations you are about to invade and dispossess. But when you have driven them out and settled in their land,^{(B) 30} and after they have been destroyed before you, be careful not to be ensnared^(C) by inquiring about their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? We will do the same.”^{(D) 31} You must not worship the Lord your God in their way, because in worshiping their gods, they do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates.^(E) They even burn their sons^(F) and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods.^(G)

³² See that you do all I command you; do not add^(H) to it or take away from it.^[a]

⁶ He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

⁸ You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”^(B)

⁹ And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe^[b] your own traditions!^(C)

Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes

⁶ “I the Lord do not change.^(A) So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.^(B)

⁸ Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.^(A)