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

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 A nd if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing 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 anyone loves God, this one 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 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.

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

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 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.

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 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.

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 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.

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 beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are 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 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?

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 A nd because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom 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 B ut when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.

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

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.