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.

²⁰ O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. ^(A)Avoid the ^(B)irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

^6 (A)Let no one ^(B)deceive you with empty words, for because of these things ^(C)the wrath of God comes upon ^(D)the sons of disobedience.

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—

A Tree and Its Fruit

^15 (A)“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ^(B)ravenous wolves.

⁹ But now that you have come to know God, or rather ^(A)to be known by God, ^(B)how can you turn back again to ^(C)the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?

³ In the same way we also, when we were children, ^(A)were enslaved to the elementary principles^[a] of the world.

²¹ For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they ^(A)became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ^22 (B)Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

¹³ while ^(A)evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and ^(B)being deceived.