The fulness of the Godhead dwells in Christ—Beware of being deceived by the traditions of men—The handwriting against us was nailed to the cross of Christ.

1 For I would that ye knew what great aconflict I have for you, and for them at bLaodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of aunderstanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, band of the Father, and of Christ;

3 In whom are hid all the atreasures of bwisdom and cknowledge.

4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.

5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your aorder, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.

6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so awalk ye in him:

7 aRooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with bthanksgiving.

8 Beware lest any man aspoil you through bphilosophy and vain cdeceit, after the dtradition of men, after the rudiments of the eworld, and not after Christ.

9 For in him dwelleth all the afulness of the Godhead bodily.

10 And ye are acomplete in him, which is the head of all bprincipality and power:

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the acircumcision made without hands, in putting off the bbody of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12 aBuried with him in bbaptism, wherein also ye are crisen with him through the faith of the doperation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he aquickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 aBlotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

16 Let no man therefore ajudge you in bmeat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the csabbath days:

17 Which are a ashadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

18 Let no man abeguile you of your reward in a voluntary bhumility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,

19 And not holding the aHead, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.

20 Wherefore if ye be adead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to bordinances,

21 a(Touch not; taste not; handle not;

22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the acommandments and bdoctrines of men?

23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.