Colossians 2:16-19

Expanded Bible

Don’t Follow People’s Rules

¹⁶ So do not let anyone ·make rules for [or criticize; judge; or condemn] you about eating and drinking or about a religious ·feast [festival], a New Moon Festival [2 Kin. 4:23; Neh. 10:33], or a Sabbath day [^Creligious observances that false teachers pressured the Colossians to keep]. ¹⁷ These things ·were like [^Lare] a shadow of what was to come. But ·what is true and real has come and is found in Christ [or the reality/substance belongs to Christ; ^Lthe body (is) of Christ]. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone disqualify you by ·insisting on [or delighting in] self-denial [asceticism; or false humility] and worship of angels. Such people ·enter into [or talk endlessly about; or pin their hopes on] visions, which ·fill them [puff them up] with ·foolish pride [or empty notions] because of their ·human way of thinking [unspiritual/worldly/carnal minds; ^Lmind of the flesh]. ¹⁹ They ·do not hold tightly [or have no connection] to the head [^CChrist]. It is from him that all the parts of the body are ·cared for [supported] and held together through its joints and ligaments. So it grows in the way God ·wants [or causes] it to grow.