COLOSSIANS CHAPTER II

FOR I would that ye knew what great conflict
I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, 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 understanding, to the acknowledgement of the 
mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ;
3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom 
and knowledge.
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
order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 
6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus 
the Lord, so walk ye in him:
7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in 
the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein 
with thanksgiving. 
8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy
and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after 
the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 
9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead 
bodily. 
10 And ye are complete in him, which is the 
head of all principality and power:
11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the 
circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body 
of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye 
are risen with him through faith of the operation 
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 quickened together 
with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
14 Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinance
that was against us, which was contrary to us, and 
took it out of the way, nailing it to the 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 judge you in meat, 
or in drink, or in respect of an holy-day, or of the 
new-moon, or of the sabbath-days:
17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but 
the body is of Christ. 
18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in 
a voluntary humility and worshiping of angels, intruding
into those things which he hath not seen, 
vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind. 
19 And not holding the Head, 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 dead with Christ from 
the rudiments of the world, why as though living 
in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after 
the commandments and doctrines 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.