1902 Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR)

Colossians 2

1 He still exhorteth them to be constant in Christ, 8 to beware of philosophy, and vain traditions, 18 worshipping of angels, 20 and legal ceremonies, which are ended in Christ.

 2:1 ¶ For I desire you to know, how great a contest I am having—in behalf of you, and of those in Laodicea, and as many as have not seen my face in the flesh;

 2:2 In order that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, even unto all the riches of the full assurance of their understanding, unto a personal knowledge of the sacred secret of God,—Christ:

 2:3 In whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden away.

 2:4 ¶ This I say, in order that, no one, may be reasoning, you, aside with plausible discourse;

 2:5 For, though, indeed, in the flesh, I am absent, yet, in the spirit, with you, I am—rejoicing, and beholding your order and the solid firmness of your Christ-ward faith.

 2:6 As, therefore, ye have accepted the Anointed Jesus as your Lord, in him, be walking,—

 2:7 Rooted, and being built up, in him, and making yourselves sure in your faith, even as ye have been taught,—surpassing therein with thanksgiving.

 2:8 Be taking heed, lest there shall be anyone leading, you, off as a spoil, through means of their philosophy, and an empty deceit,—according to the instruction of men, according to the first principles of the world,—and not according to Christ:

 2:9 Because, in him, dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead, bodily,

 2:10 And ye are, in him, filled full,—Who, is the head of all principality and authority,

 2:11 In whom, ye have also been circumcised with a circumcision not done by hand, in the despoiling of the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Christ,—

 2:12 Having been buried together with him in your immersion, wherein also ye have been raised together, through your faith in the energising of God—Who raised him from among the dead.

 2:13 ¶ And, as for you—who were, dead, by your offences and by the uncircumcision of your flesh, he hath brought you to life together with him,—having in favour forgiven us all our offences,

 2:14 Having blotted out the handwriting against us by the decrees, which was hostile to us,—and hath taken away, the same, out of the midst, nailing it up to the cross:

 2:15 Spoiling the principalities and the authorities, he made of them an open example, celebrating a triumph over them thereby.

 2:16 ¶ Let no one, therefore, be judging, you,—in eating and in drinking, or in respect of feast, or new moon, or sabbath,—

 2:17 Which are a shadow of the things to come, whereas, the body, is of the Christ.

 2:18 Let, no one, against you, be arbitrating, however wishful,—in respect of lowliness of mind, and of a religious observance of the messengers: upon what things he hath seen, taking his stand, in vain, puffed up by his carnal mind,—

 2:19 And not holding fast the head: from which, all the body, through means of its joints and uniting bands, receiving supply, and connecting itself together, groweth with the growth of God.

 2:20 If ye have died, together with Christ, from the first principles of the world, why, as though alive in the world, are ye submitting to decrees,—

 2:21 Do not handle, nor taste, nor touch;—

 2:22 Which things are all for decay in the using up;—according to the commandments and teachings of men?

 2:23 The which things, indeed, though they have, an appearance, of wisdom, in self-devised religious observance, and lowliness of mind, [and] ill-treatment of body, are, in no honourable way, unto a satisfying of the flesh.