1 N ow concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

2 I f any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;

3 b ut if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.

4 C oncerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one.

5 F or though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

6 y et to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

7 H owbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 B ut food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

9 B ut take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.

10 F or if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

11 F or through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

12 A nd thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.

13 W herefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.