1 N ow about food offered to idols: of course we know that all of us possess knowledge knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow.

En cuanto a lo que se ofrece a los ídolos, es cierto que todos sabemos algo de eso. El conocimiento envanece, pero el amor edifica.

2 I f anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much, he does not yet perceive and recognize and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary.

Si alguno cree saber algo, todavía no lo sabe como se debe saber;

3 B ut if one loves God truly '> with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience, and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God '> recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].

pero si alguno ama a Dios, es porque Dios ya lo conoce.

4 I n this matter, then, of eating food offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing (has no real existence) and that there is no God but one.

En cuanto a los alimentos que se ofrecen a los ídolos, sabemos que un ídolo no tiene valor alguno en este mundo, y que solamente hay un Dios.

5 F or although there may be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many of them, both of gods and of lords and masters,

Y aunque haya algunos que se llamen dioses, ya sea en el cielo o en la tierra (así como hay muchos dioses y muchos señores),

6 Y et for us there is one God, the Father, Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things and through and by Whom we.

para nosotros hay un solo Dios, el Padre, de quien proceden todas las cosas, y a quien nosotros pertenecemos; y un solo Señor, Jesucristo, por medio de quien existen todas las cosas, incluso nosotros mismos.

7 N evertheless, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being all their lives until now accustomed to idols, still consider the food as that sacrificed to an god; and their weak consciences become defiled and injured if they eat.

Pero no todos tienen este conocimiento. Algunos, que todavía están acostumbrados a los ídolos, comen de lo que se ofrece a los ídolos, y su conciencia, que es débil, se contamina.

8 N ow food will not cause our acceptance by God nor commend us to Him. Eating gives us no advantage; neither do we come short or become any worse if we do not eat.

Es verdad que los alimentos no nos acercan más a Dios, pues no somos mejores por comer ni peores por no comer;

9 O nly be careful that this power of choice (this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours, does not become a hindrance (cause of stumbling) to the weak or overscrupulous.

pero tengan cuidado de que esa libertad que ustedes tienen no se convierta en motivo de tropiezo para los que son débiles.

10 F or suppose someone sees you, a man having knowledge reclining at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged and emboldened if he is weak and uncertain, and eat what is for the purpose of idol worship?

Porque si a ti, que tienes conocimiento, te ve sentado a la mesa, en un lugar de ídolos, alguien cuya conciencia es débil, ¿acaso no se sentirá estimulado a comer de lo que se ofrece a los ídolos?

11 A nd so by your enlightenment (your knowledge of spiritual things), this weak man is ruined (is lost and perishes)—the brother for whom Christ (the Messiah) died!

En tal caso, ese hermano débil, por quien Cristo murió, se perderá por causa de tu conocimiento.

12 A nd when you sin against your brethren in this way, wounding and damaging their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

Y así, al pecar ustedes contra los hermanos y herir su débil conciencia, pecan contra Cristo.

13 T herefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling or of hindering, I will not eat flesh forever, lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to be offended.

Por lo tanto, si la comida es motivo de que mi hermano caiga, jamás comeré carne, para no poner a mi hermano en peligro de caer.