| 1 | 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 stedfastness 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 the 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 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 judge you in meat , or in drink , or in respect of an holyday , 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 worshipping 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 . |
