< Colossians 2 >
1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have about you, and those at Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in flesh.
For I would have you know how greatly I strive for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;
2 So that their hearts may be encouraged, having been united together in love, and for all wealth of the full assurance of understanding, to knowledge of the mystery of the God and Father of the Christ.
that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, [even] Christ,
3 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden.
4 And I say this so that not any man may delude you with persuasive speech.
This I say, that no one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech.
5 For even though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing your orderliness, and the steadfastness of your faith for Christ.
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
6 As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in him,
As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, [so] walk in him,
7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as ye were taught, abounding in it with thankfulness.
rooted and builded up in him, and established in your faith, even as ye were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
8 Take heed lest there will be any man taking you captive through the love of wisdom and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ.
Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:
9 Because in him all the fullness of the divinity dwells bodily.
for in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily,
10 And ye are men who have been made full in him, who is the head of every principal office and position of authority.
and in him ye are made full, who is the head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye were circumcised a circumcision not made with hands, in the removal of the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of the Christ.
in whom ye were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ;
12 Having been buried with him in immersion, in which also ye were raised together through faith of the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
having been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
13 And you, being dead in transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you he made alive together with him, having forgiven us all the transgressions,
And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, [I say], did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;
14 having erased the handwriting against us in the regulations that were hostile to us, and he has taken it up from the midst, having nailed it to the cross.
having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;
15 Having stripped the principal offices and the positions of authority, he exposed them openly, having triumphed over them by it.
having despoiled the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
16 Let not any man therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or sabbaths,
Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a sabbath day:
17 which are a shadow of the things coming, but the body is Christ's.
which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Christ’s.
18 Let no man umpire against you insisting on self-mortification, and worship of the agents, intruding in things that he has not seen, vainly puffed up by the mind of his flesh,
Let no man rob you of your prize by a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
19 and not holding to the head, from whom all the body, being supplied and held together through the connections and bonds, develops its growth from God.
and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.
20 If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why do ye submit to rules, as though living in the world?
If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances,
21 Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch
Handle not, nor taste, nor touch
22 (which are all things for consumption by use), according to the commandments and teachings of men?
(all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men?
23 Which having, are indeed a matter of wisdom in will-worship, and self-mortification, and austerity of the body-not in any value against indulgence of the flesh.
Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; [but are] not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.