[1] Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. [2] But if anyone thinks
that he knows anything, he doesn`t yet know as he ought to know. [3] But if
anyone loves God, the same is known by him. [4] Therefore concerning the
eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in
the world, and that there is no other God but one. [5] For though there are
things that are called "gods," whether in the heavens or on earth; as there
are many "gods" and many "lords;" [6] yet to us there is one God, the
Father, of whom are all things, and we to him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ,
through whom are all things, and we through him. [7] However, that
knowledge isn`t in all men. 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. [8] But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we don`t
eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. [9] But be
careful that by any means this liberty of yours doesn`t become a stumbling
block to the weak. [10] For if a man sees you who have knowledge sitting in
an idol`s temple, won`t his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat
things sacrificed to idols? [11] And through your knowledge, he who is weak
perishes, the brother for whose sake Christ died. [12] Thus, sinning
against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you
sin against Christ. [13] Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I
will eat no meat forevermore, that I don`t cause my brother to stumble.
