Freedom From Human Rules

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you^(A) by what you eat or drink,^(B) or with regard to a religious festival,^(C) a New Moon celebration^(D) or a Sabbath day.^(E)

¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come;^(A) the reality, however, is found in Christ.

²⁰ Since you died with Christ^(A) to the elemental spiritual forces of this world,^(B) why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:^{(C) 21} “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish^(D) with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.^{(E) 23} Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(F) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.