Col 2 | RKJN | STEP | For I want you to know what a great struggle I have for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

‏ Colossians 2

1 For I want you to know what a great struggle I have for you, and for those at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted as they are knit together in love, and that they might gain all the riches of the full assurance that comes from understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, of Christ; 3 In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should deceive you with enticing words. 5 For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in the spirit, rejoicing and beholding your good order, and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. 6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and established in the faith, as you have been taught, and abounding with thanksgiving. 8 Beware, lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, which depend on the traditions of men and the rudiments of the world, and not on Christ. 9 For in him all the fulness of Deity dwells in bodily form. 10 And you are complete in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. 11 In him also you were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Having been buried with him in baptism, you have also risen with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, he has made alive together with him, having forgiven us all transgressions; 14 Cancelling the bond of debt, with its legal decrees against us, which was contrary to us, and taking it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having disarmed rulers and authorities, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 16 Therefore, let no man judge you in matters of food, or drink, or regarding a festival, or a new moon, or a sabbath day: 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the reality belongs to Christ. 18 Let no man defraud you of your reward, delighting in self-abasement and the worship of angels, taking his stand on visions, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. 20 Therefore, if you are dead with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as though still living in the world, do you submit to such ordinances as, 21 Do not touch; do not taste; do not handle? 22 These all refer to things which perish with use; and are based on the commandments and doctrines of men. 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom with their self-imposed worship, and self-abasement, and severity to the body; but are of no value in restraining the indulgence of the flesh.