[1] For I desire to 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] that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love,
and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may
know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, [3] in whom are
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. [4] This I say that no
one may delude you with persuasiveness of speech. [5] For though I am
absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, rejoicing and seeing
your order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. [6] As therefore
you received Christ Jesus, the Lord, walk in him, [7] rooted and built up
in him, and established in your faith, even as you were taught, abounding
in it in thanksgiving. [8] Be careful that you don`t let anyone rob you
through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after
the elements of the world, and not after Christ. [9] For in him all the
fullness of the Godhead dwells bodily, [10] and in him you are made full,
who is the head of all principality and power; [11] in whom you were also
circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of
the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ; [12]
having been 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. [13]
You were dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh.
He made you alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses;
[14] having blotted out the bond written in ordinances that was against us,
which was contrary to us: and he has taken it out that way, nailing it to
the cross; [15] having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made
a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. [16] Let no man
therefore judge you in eating, or in drinking, or with respect to a feast
day or a new moon or a Sabbath day, [17] which are a shadow of the things
to come; but the body is Christ`s. [18] Let no man rob you of your prize by
a voluntary humility and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things
which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, [19] and not
holding firmly to the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit
together through the joints and ligaments, grows with God`s growth. [20] If
you died with Christ from the elements of the world, why, as though living
in the world, do you subject yourselves to ordinances, [21] "Don`t handle,
nor taste, nor touch" [22] (all which things are to perish with the using),
after the precepts and doctrines of men? [23] Which things indeed appear
like wisdom in self-imposed worship, and humility, and severity to the
body; but aren`t of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
