Colossians 2:19-23
New American Standard Bible
20If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as,
21Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!'
22(which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of man?
23These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
King James Version
Chapter 2
19And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21(Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.Christian Standard Bible
20If you died with Christ to the elements of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations:
21"Don't handle, don't taste, don't touch"?
22All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up; they are human commands and doctrines.
23Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion, false humility, and severe treatment of the body, they are not of any value in curbing self-indulgence.
New Living Translation
20You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as,
21Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!'?
22Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.
23These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires.
English Standard Version
20If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—
21“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”
22(referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?
23These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
New International Version
20Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:
21Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!'?
22These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings.
23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
New King James Version
20Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—
21“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,”
22which all concern things which perish with the using— according to the commandments and doctrines of men?
23These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.