They served only for matters of food and drink ¹  and various washings; they are external regulations ²  imposed until the new order came. ³ 

Let your ¹  beauty ²  not be external – the braiding of hair and wearing of gold jewelry ³  or fine clothes –

For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision something that is outward in the flesh,

Fairness will produce peace ¹  and result in lasting security. ² 

Do not judge according to external appearance, ¹  but judge with proper ²  judgment.”

As for the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were given responsibilities outside the temple ¹  as officers and judges over Israel.

Shabbethai and Jozabad, leaders ¹  of the Levites, were in charge of the external work for the temple of God;

You people ¹  judge by outward appearances; ²  I do not judge anyone. ³ 

Apart from other things, ¹  there is the daily pressure on me of my anxious concern ²  for all the churches.

who has become a priest not by a legal regulation about physical descent ¹  but by the power of an indestructible life.

But from those who were influential ¹  (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people ² ) – those influential leaders ³  added ⁴  nothing to my message. ⁵ 

So do not be excessively righteous or excessively ¹  wise; ²  otherwise ³  you might ⁴  be disappointed. ⁵ 

So also we, when we were minors, ¹  were enslaved under the basic forces ²  of the world.

Those who want to make a good showing in external matters ¹  are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so ²  only to avoid being persecuted ³  for the cross of Christ.

For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh. ¹ 

For we are the circumcision, ¹  the ones who worship by the Spirit of God, ²  exult in Christ Jesus, and do not rely on human credentials ³ 

If you have died with Christ to the elemental spirits ¹  of the world, why do you submit to them as though you lived in the world?

Slaves, ¹  obey your earthly ²  masters in every respect, not only when they are watching – like those who are strictly people-pleasers – but with a sincere heart, fearing the Lord.

If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.

Pure and undefiled religion before ¹  God the Father ²  is this: to care for orphans and widows in their misfortune and to keep oneself unstained by the world.