FOR I would have you know how great a conflict I have for you, and for those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; (2)that their hearts might be encouraged, they being knit together in love, and unto all the riches of the full assurance of the understanding, unto the full knowledge of the mystery of God, even Christ; (3)in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden. (4)And this I say, that no one may beguile you with enticing words. (5)For though I am absent in the flesh, yet in the spirit I am with you, rejoicing and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith toward Christ. (6)As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him; (7)having been rooted and being built up in him, and being established in the faith as ye were taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (8)Beware lest there shall be any one that despoils you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9)Because in him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. (10)And ye are made complete in him[2:10], who is the head of all principality and power; (11)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)being buried with him in the immersion, wherein ye were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (13)And you also, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he made alive together with him, graciously forgiving us all our trespasses; (14)blotting out the handwriting in ordinances that was against us, which was opposed to us, and he has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross; (15)despoiling principalities and powers[2:15a], he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it[2:15b]. (16)Let not any one therefore judge you in food, or in drink, or in respect of a feast-day, or of a new-moon, or of a sabbath; (17)which are a shadow of the things to come, but the body is of Christ. (18)Let no one defraud you of the prize, seeking it[2:18] in humiliation and worship of the angels, intruding into things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, (19)and not holding fast the head, from whom all the body, by means of the joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and being knit together, increases with the increase of God. (20)If ye died with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (21)"Handle not, nor taste, nor touch," (22)(which are all to perish with the using,) after the commandments and teachings of men? (23)Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in self-chosen worship, and humiliation, and neglecting of the body, not in any honor, for the satisfying of the flesh. III.