1 E n cuanto a lo sacrificado a los ídolos, sabemos que todos tenemos conocimiento. El conocimiento envanece, pero el amor edifica.

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 Y si alguno se imagina que sabe algo, aún no ha aprendido nada como se debe conocer.

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 P ero si alguno ama a Dios, ha sido conocido por él.

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 A cerca, pues, de las viandas que se sacrifican a los ídolos, sabemos que un ídolo nada es en el mundo, y que no hay más que un Dios.

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 P ues aunque haya algunos que se llamen dioses, sea en el cielo, o en la tierra (como hay muchos dioses y muchos señores),

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 p ara nosotros, sin embargo, sólo hay un Dios, el Padre, del cual proceden todas las cosas, y nosotros somos para él; y un solo Señor, Jesucristo, por medio del cual son todas las cosas, y nosotros por medio de él.

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 P ero no en todos hay este conocimiento; porque algunos, habituados hasta aquí a los ídolos, comen como sacrificado a ídolos, y su conciencia, siendo débil, se contamina.

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 S i bien la comida no nos hace más aceptos ante Dios; pues ni porque comamos, seremos más, ni porque no comamos, seremos menos.

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 P ero mirad que esta libertad vuestra no venga a ser tropezadero para los débiles.

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 P orque si alguno te ve a ti, que tienes conocimiento, sentado a la mesa en un lugar de ídolos, la conciencia de aquel que es débil, ¿no será estimulada a comer de lo sacrificado a los ídolos?

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 Y por el conocimiento tuyo, se arruina el hermano débil por quien Cristo murió.

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 D e esta manera, pues, pecando contra los hermanos e hiriendo su débil conciencia, pecáis contra Cristo.

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

13 P or lo cual, si la comida le es a mi hermano ocasión de caer, no comeré carne jamás, para no poner tropiezo a mi hermano.

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.