1 N ow concerning things sacrificed to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies.

Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.

2 I f anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;

And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 b ut if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.

But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

4 T herefore concerning the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that there is no such thing as an idol in the world, and that there is no God but one.

Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.

5 F or even if there are so-called gods whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords),

6 y et for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things and we exist for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him.

yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live.

7 H owever not all men have this knowledge; but some, being accustomed to the idol until now, eat food as if it were sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

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

But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

9 B ut take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.

But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.

10 F or if someone sees you, who have knowledge, dining in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be strengthened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols?

11 F or through your knowledge he who is weak is ruined, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 A nd so, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

13 T herefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble.

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.