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?

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 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—

¹² For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again ^(A)the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need ^(B)milk, not solid food,

¹⁰ but deal only with ^(A)food and drink and ^(B)various washings, regulations for the body imposed until the time of reformation.