Colossians 2

1For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and those in Laodicea and all who have not seen my face in the flesh.

2that their hearts may be encouraged, being united in love and to all the riches of complete assurance of understanding, to the full knowledge of the mystery of God, Christ.

3All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in him.

4I say this so that no one deceives you with persuasive speech.

5For though I am absent in the flesh, I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and beholding your order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.

6Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him.

7Rooted and built up in him, established in the faith as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

8Beware lest anyone plunder you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

9For all the fullness of deity dwells bodily in him.

10And you are filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority.

11In him you were also circumcised by a circumcision not done by hands, in the laying aside of the body of flesh, in Christ's circumcision.

12You were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God who raised him from the dead.

13And you, being dead in the trespasses and uncircumcision of your flesh, he made alive together with him, having forgiven us all the trespasses.

14He blotted out the handwriting against us in the decrees, which was opposed to us, and removed it from the midst, nailing it to the cross.

15Having disarmed the rulers and the authorities, he exposed them publicly, triumphing over them in it.

16Therefore do not let anyone judge you in eating or drinking or with respect to a festival, new moon, or sabbaths.

17which is a shadow of the things to come, but the body belongs to Christ.

18Let no one who is intent on humility and worshipping angels disqualify you from your prize, intruding vainly into what he has seen, puffed up by his fleshly mind.

19and not holding the head, from which the whole body, supplied and joined through the joints and bonds, grows the growth from God.

20If you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why submit to decrees as though living in the world?

21Don't handle, nor taste, nor touch.

22All of which perish through use, according to the commandments and teachings of men.

23These indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-willed worship, humility, and severity toward the body, but are of no value against indulgence of the flesh.