¹⁰ But ^(A)these people disparage all the things that they do not understand; and ^(B)all the things that they know by instinct, ^(C)like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.

¹² For all who have sinned ^[a](A)without the Law will also perish ^[b]without the Law, and all who have sinned ^[c]under the Law will be judged ^[d]by the Law; ¹³ for it is ^(B)not the hearers ^[e]of the Law who are ^[f]righteous before God, but the doers ^[g]of the Law who will be justified. ¹⁴ For when Gentiles who do not have ^[h]the Law ^[i](C)instinctively perform the requirements of the Law, these, though not having ^[j]the Law, are a law to themselves, ¹⁵ in that they show ^(D)the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them,

² that their ^(A)hearts may be encouraged, having been ^(B)knit together in love, and that they would attain to all ^(C)the wealth ^[a]that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a ^(D)true knowledge of ^(E)God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, ³ in whom are hidden all ^(F)the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ^4 (G)I say this so that no one will deceive you with ^(H)persuasive arguments. ⁵ For even though I am ^(I)absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing ^[b]to see ^[c]your ^(J)orderly manner and the ^(K)stability of your faith in Christ.

⁶ Therefore, as you have received ^(L)Christ Jesus the Lord, so ^[d](M)walk in Him, ⁷ having been firmly ^(N)rooted and now being ^(O)built up in Him and ^(P)established ^[e]in ^[f]your faith, just as you ^(Q)were instructed, and overflowing ^[g]with gratitude.

^8 (R)See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through ^(S)philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the ^(T)elementary principles of the world, ^[h]rather than in accordance with Christ.

¹⁹ and not holding firmly to ^(A)the head, from whom ^(B)the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ^[a]ligaments, grows with a growth ^[b]which is from God.

^20 (C)If you have died with Christ ^[c]to the ^(D)elementary principles of the world, ^(E)why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to ^(F)decrees, such as, ²¹ “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” ²² (which all refer ^(G)to things destined to perish ^[d]with use)—in accordance with the ^(H)commandments and teachings of man? ²³ These are matters which do have the ^[e]appearance of wisdom in ^[f](I)self-made religion and humility and ^(J)severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against ^(K)fleshly indulgence.

Distortion of the Gospel

⁶ I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting ^(A)Him who called you ^[a]by the grace of Christ, for a ^(B)different gospel, ⁷ which is not just another account; but there are some who are ^(C)disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.

Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who among you is wise and understanding? ^(A)Let him show by his ^(B)good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter ^(C)jealousy and ^[a]selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against ^(D)the truth. ¹⁵ This wisdom is not that which comes down ^(E)from above, but is ^(F)earthly, ^[b](G)natural, ^(H)demonic. ¹⁶ For where ^(I)jealousy and ^[c]selfish ambition exist, ^[d]there is disorder and every evil thing. ¹⁷ But the wisdom ^(J)from above is first ^(K)pure, then ^(L)peace-loving, ^(M)gentle, ^[e]reasonable, ^(N)full of mercy and good fruits, ^[f](O)impartial, free of ^(P)hypocrisy.

Follow the Spirit

5 ^(A)It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore ^(B)keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a ^(C)yoke of slavery.