Epistula ad Colossenses, 2
1. volo enim vos scire qualem sollicitudinem habeam pro vobis et pro his qui sunt Laodiciæ et quicumque non viderunt faciem meam in carne
1. For I would have you know, what manner of care I have for you and for them that are at Laodicea, and whosoever have not seen my face in the flesh:
2. ut consolentur corda ipsorum instructi in caritate et in omnes divitias plenitudinis intellectus in agnitionem mysterii Dei Patris Christi Jesu
2. That their hearts may be comforted, being instructed in charity, and unto all riches of fulness of understanding, unto the knowledge of the mystery of God the Father and of Christ Jesus:
3. in quo sunt omnes thesauri sapientiæ et scientiæ absconditi
3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
4. hoc autem dico ut nemo vos decipiat in subtilitate sermonum
4. Now this I say, that no man may deceive you by loftiness of words.
5. nam et si corpore absens sum sed spiritu vobiscum sum gaudens et videns ordinem vestrum et firmamentum ejus quæ in Christo est fidei vestræ
5. For though I be absent in body, yet in spirit I am with you; rejoicing, and beholding your order, and the steadfastness of your faith which is in Christ.
6. sicut ergo accepistis Christum Jesum Dominum in ipso ambulate
6. As therefore you have received Jesus Christ the Lord, walk ye in him;
7. radicati et superædificati in ipso et confirmati fide sicut et didicistis abundantes in gratiarum actione
7. Rooted and built up in him, and confirmed in the faith, as also you have learned, abounding in him in thanksgiving.
8. videte ne quis vos decipiat per philosophiam et inanem fallaciam secundum traditionem hominum secundum elementa mundi et non secundum Christum
8. Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy, and vain deceit; according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ:
9. quia in ipso inhabitat omnis plenitudo divinitatis corporaliter
9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporeally;
10. et estis in illo repleti qui est caput omnis principatus et potestatis
10. And you are filled in him, who is the head of all principality and power:
11. in quo et circumcisi estis circumcisione non manufacta in expoliatione corporis carnis in circumcisione Christi
11. In whom also you are circumcised with circumcision not made by hand, in despoiling of the body of the flesh, but in the circumcision of Christ:
12. consepulti ei in baptismo in quo et resurrexistis per fidem operationis Dei qui suscitavit illum a mortuis
12. Buried with him in baptism, in whom also you are risen again by the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him up from the dead.
13. et vos cum mortui essetis in delictis et præputio carnis vestræ convivificavit cum illo donans vobis omnia delicta
13. And you, when you were dead in your sins, and the uncircumcision of your flesh; he hath quickened together with him, forgiving you all offences:
14. delens quod adversum nos erat chirografum decretis quod erat contrarium nobis et ipsum tulit de medio adfigens illud cruci
14. Blotting out the handwriting of the decree that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he hath taken the same out of the way, fastening it to the cross:
15. expolians principatus et potestates traduxit palam triumphans illos in semet ipso
15. And despoiling the principalities and powers, he hath exposed them confidently in open shew, triumphing over them in himself.
16. nemo ergo vos judicet in cibo aut in potu aut in parte diei festi aut neomeniæ aut sabbatorum
16. Let no man therefore judge you in meat or in drink, or in respect of a festival day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbaths,
17. quæ sunt umbra futurorum corpus autem Christi
17. Which are a shadow of things to come, but the body is of Christ.
18. nemo vos seducat volens in humilitate et religione angelorum quæ non vidit ambulans frustra inflatus sensu carnis suæ
18. Let no man seduce you, willing in humility, and religion of angels, walking in the things which he hath not seen, in vain puffed up by the sense of his flesh,
19. et non tenens caput ex quo totum corpus per nexus et coniunctiones subministratum et constructum crescit in augmentum Dei
19. And not holding the head, from which the whole body, by joints and bands, being supplied with nourishment and compacted, groweth unto the increase of God.
20. si mortui estis cum Christo ab elementis mundi quid adhuc tamquam viventes in mundo decernitis
20. If then you be dead with Christ from the elements of this world, why do you yet decree as though living in the world?
21. ne tetigeris neque gustaveris neque contrectaveris
21. Touch not, taste not, handle not:
22. quæ sunt omnia in interitu ipso usu secundum præcepta et doctrinas hominum
22. Which all are unto destruction by the very use, according to the precepts and doctrines of men.
23. quæ sunt rationem quidem habentia sapientiæ in superstitione et humilitate et ad non parcendum corpori non in honore aliquo ad saturitatem carnis
23. Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in superstition and humility, and not sparing the body; not in any honour to the filling of the flesh.
