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? 23 These 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

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

20 If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits of the world, why do you submit to them as if living in the world? 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch,” 22 which things are all meant for destruction by consuming according to human commandments and teachings, 23 which things although they have[a],[b] to be sure, an appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and unsparing treatment of the body, do not have any value[c] against the indulgence of the flesh.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:23 Literally “having”
  2. Colossians 2:23 *Here the participle (“having”) is understood as concessive
  3. Colossians 2:23 Literally “are not with any value”