(A)I say this so that no one will deceive you with (B)persuasive arguments. For even though I am (C)absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing [a]to see [b]your (D)orderly manner and the (E)stability of your faith in Christ.

Therefore, as you have received (F)Christ Jesus the Lord, so [c](G)walk in Him, having been firmly (H)rooted and now being (I)built up in Him and (J)established [d]in [e]your faith, just as you (K)were instructed, and overflowing [f]with gratitude.

(L)See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through (M)philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the (N)elementary principles of the world, [g]rather than in accordance with Christ.

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:5 Lit and seeing
  2. Colossians 2:5 Or your good order
  3. Colossians 2:6 Or lead your life
  4. Colossians 2:7 Or by
  5. Colossians 2:7 Or the faith
  6. Colossians 2:7 One early ms in it with
  7. Colossians 2:8 Lit and not

I say this so that no one will mislead you with nice-sounding rhetoric. For although I am physically absent, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how stable you are and how firm your faith in the Messiah[a] is.

Fullness of Life

So then, just as you have received the Messiah[b] Jesus the Lord, continue to live dependent on him. For you have been rooted in him and are being built up and strengthened in the faith, just as you were taught, while you continue to be thankful. See to it that no one enslaves you through philosophy and empty deceit according to human tradition, according to the basic principles of the world,[c] and not according to the Messiah,[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Colossians 2:5 Or Christ
  2. Colossians 2:6 Or Christ
  3. Colossians 2:8 Or the elemental spirits of the universe
  4. Colossians 2:8 Or Christ