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

Now 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.

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

If 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.

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

But 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].

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.

In 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.

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

For 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,

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.

Yet 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.

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.

Nevertheless, 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.

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.

Now 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.

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

Only 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.

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?

For 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?

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

And 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!

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

And when you sin against your brethren in this way, wounding and damaging their weak conscience, you 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.

Therefore, 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.