⁸ Watch out that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles^[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.^{(A) 9} For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, ¹⁰ and you have come to fullness in him, who is the head of every ruler and authority.^(B)

¹⁶ Therefore, do not let anyone condemn you in matters of food or^[a] drink or of observing festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths.^{(A) 17} These are only a shadow of what is to come, but the body belongs to Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone disqualify you, insisting on self-abasement and worship of angels, initiatory visions,^[b] puffed up without cause by a human way of thinking,^{[c] 19} and not holding fast to the head, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons, grows with a growth that is from God.^(B)

Warnings against False Teachers

²⁰ If with Christ you died to the elemental principles^[d] of the world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations,^{(C) 21} “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² All these regulations refer to things that perish with use; they are simply human commands and teachings.^{(D) 23} These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-imposed piety, humility, and severe treatment of the body, but they are of no value in checking self-indulgence.^[e]