2 ²⁰ Did you not die with Christ and pass beyond reach of the elemental spirits of the universe? Or: the elements of the natural world; Or: elementary ideas belonging to this world. Then why behave as though you were still living the life of the world? 2 ²¹ Why let people dictate to you: 'Do not handle this, do not taste that, do not touch the other'— 2 ²² all of them things that must perish as soon as they are used? That is to follow merely human injunctions and teaching. 2 ²³ True, it has an air of wisdom, with its forced piety, its self-mortification, and its severity to the body; but it is of no use at all in combating sensuality.

3 ¹ Were you not raised to life with Christ? Then aspire to the realm above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God, 3 ² and let your thoughts dwell on that higher realm, not on this earthly life. 3 ³ I repeat, you died; and now your life lies hidden with Christ in God. 3 ⁴ When Christ, who is our life, is manifested, then you too will be manifested with him in glory.

3 ⁵ Then put to death those parts of you which belong to the earth—fornication, indecency, lust, foul cravings, and the ruthless greed which is nothing less than idolatry. 3 ⁶ Because of these, God's dreadful judgement is impending; 3 ⁷ and in the life you once lived these are the ways you yourselves followed. 3 ⁸ But now you yourselves must lay aside all anger, passion, malice, cursing, filthy talk—have done with them! 3 ⁹ Stop lying to one another, now that you have discarded the old nature with its deeds 3 ¹⁰ and have put on the new nature, which is being constantly renewed in the image of its Creator and brought to know God. 3 ¹¹ There is no question here of Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, freeman and slave; but Christ is all, and is in all.

3 ¹² Then put on the garments that suit God's chosen people, his own, his beloved: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience. 3 ¹³ Be forbearing with one another, and forgiving, where any of you has cause for complaint: you must forgive as the Lord forgave you. 3 ¹⁴ To crown all, there must be love, to bind all together and complete the whole. 3 ¹⁵ Let Christ's peace be arbiter in your hearts: to this peace you were called as members of a single body. And be filled with gratitude. 3 ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you in all its richness. Instruct and admonish each other with the utmost wisdom. Sing thankfully in your hearts to God, Some witnesses read: the Lord. with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs. 3 ¹⁷ Whatever you are doing, whether you speak or act, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.