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

2 A nd if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.

3 B ut if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

4 T herefore 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 there are many gods and many lords),

6 y et 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, 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 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 beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.

10 F or 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 A nd because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

12 B ut when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

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