8And take heed, brethren, that no one leads you astray with vain and deceitful philosophizing, that the traditions of men follow the archaic notions of this world,[2711] and not Christ. 9And only in Him is the fullness of the Godhead incarnated[2712].

10In Him alone has been given you the fullness of life, He is the Head over all government and authority. 11In Him also circumcision[2713] and you have received, not by the hand of man, but in the complete removal of the carnal self,[2714] which consists in the complete removal of the carnal self,[2714] and you have received Christ's circumcision. 12In baptism you were buried with him, and with him you were raised up through faith in the omnipotence[2715] of God,[2716]b who raised Christ from the dead.

13 You were dead in your sins, and in the uncircumcision of your carnal nature,2717 but God made you alive together with Christ, when he mercifully forgave us,2718 all our transgressions. 14He crossed out the list of our debts[2719]a and transgressions, with all the precepts on our account, and he canceled it and removed it[2720]b by nailing it to the cross. 15Having disarmed[2721] governments and powers, and having exposed them to the public, he triumphed over them on the cross.2722.b

16No one, therefore, dares to condemn you for eating and drinking, or for the way you feel about special Jewish festivals, new moons, or Sabbaths. 17All these are only shadows of what was to come, but the reality is in Christ[2723]. 18Let not those who delight themselves in self-abasement and the worship of angels, while relying on their visions, deprive you of your reward,[2724] let them not deprive you of your reward,2724 but those who delight themselves in self-abasement and worship of the angels, relying on their visions.2725 b.

20If, indeed, you have died with Christ and renounced the archaic notions of this world, why, as those who live its life,2728 do you follow the precepts: 21 "Do not touch, do not eat, do not touch!", 22 dealing with all that is destined to be destroyed by use? These are human commandments and human teachings. 23All this only seems wise, but in life contrived piety,2729,a self-torture, [and] exhaustion of the body do not lead to the curbing of sensuality.2730.b

Living with Christ

3 God has awakened[2731] you to life with Christ, so strive for that which is in heaven, where Christ sits on the right hand of God.2732.2 2 Set your mind on heavenly things, not on earthly things: 3 you are dead to all worldly things. Your life with Christ is hidden in God. 4But when Christ your life is revealed,[2733] then all will see you with him in glory.

5Therefore put to death all the earthly things in yourselves[2734]: fornication, all licentiousness, sinful passions, base desires, and covetousness (which is the same as idolatry), all of which bring the wrath of God [on those who oppose His will][2735]. 7 Once upon a time you also walked in such ways[2736], living in the same way. 8Now you must get rid of all this: anger, rage, malice. Let slander and foul language never proceed out of your mouth! 9And do not lie to one another: you have cast off your former nature with all its habits,2738 putting on a new nature, which is constantly renewed in the image of its Creator for the sake of knowing Him. 11 And there is no longer here Gentile,2740 nor Jew, no circumcision or uncircumcision, no barbarian,2741,b no Scythian,2742,2742,c no slave or freeman, but there is Christ, He is all and in all.2743

12 Clothe yourselves, then, O God's elect, holy and beloved, with mercy and kindness, with humility and meekness and longsuffering. 13Be tolerant to one another, and forgive one another if you have cause for discontent. and you must forgive in the same way as the Lord[2744] forgave you. 14And besides, clothe yourselves with love: it binds all good things and leads to perfection[2745].

15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,[2746]a and to this peace you are called as members of one Body[2747].b And be grateful. 16Let the message of Christ dwell in you[2748] in all its fullness, in all its wisdom,[2749] but you teach[2750] and instruct one another; with gratitude in your hearts sing to God[2751] psalms, hymns, and spiritual hymns. 17Let all that you do, all your words and deeds, be in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And give thanks to God the Father through Him.

Christian Home

18You, wives, submit to your husbands, as befits those who live in the Lord.

19But you, husbands, love your wives and do not grieve them[2752].

20Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is pleasing to the Lord[2753].