1 Corinthians 8

1 And concerning the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that we all have knowledge: knowledge puffs up, but love builds up;

Now about things offered to images: we all seem to ourselves to have knowledge. Knowledge gives pride, but love gives true strength.

2 and if anyone thinks to know anything, he has not yet known anything according as it is required to know;

If anyone seems to himself to have knowledge, so far he has not the right sort of knowledge about anything;

3 and if anyone loves God, this one has been known by Him.

But if anyone has love for God, God has knowledge of him.

4 Concerning the eating then of the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that there is no other God except one;

So, then, as to the question of taking food offered to images, we are certain that an image is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.

5 for even if there are those called gods, whether in Heaven, whether on earth—as there are many gods and many lords—

For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords,

6 yet to us [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;

There is for us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we have our being through him.

7 but not in all men [is] the knowledge, and certain with conscience of the idol, until now, eat [it] as a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

Still, all men have not that knowledge: but some, being used till now to the image, are conscious that they are taking food which has been offered to the image; and because they are not strong in the faith, their minds are troubled.

8 But food does not commend us to God, for neither if we may eat are we in advance; nor if we may not eat, are we behind;

But God's approval of us is not based on the food we take: if we do not take it we are no worse for it; and if we take it we are no better.

9 but see, lest this privilege of yours may become a stumbling-block to the weak,

But take care that this power of yours does not give cause for trouble to the feeble.

10 for if anyone may see you that have knowledge in an idol’s temple reclining to eat, will not his conscience—he being weak—be emboldened to eat the things sacrificed to idols?

For if a man sees you, who have knowledge, taking food as a guest in the house of an image, will it not give him, if he is feeble, the idea that he may take food offered to images?

11 For the [one] being weak—the brother for whom Christ died—will perish by your knowledge.

And so, through your knowledge, you are the cause of destruction to your brother, for whom Christ underwent death.

12 And thus sinning in regard to the brothers, and striking their weak conscience—you sin in regard to Christ;

And in this way, doing evil to the brothers, and causing trouble to those whose faith is feeble, you are sinning against Christ.

13 for this reason, if food causes my brother to stumble, I may not eat flesh—throughout the age—that I may not cause my brother to stumble. (aiōn g165)

For this reason, if food is a cause of trouble to my brother, I will give up taking meat for ever, so that I may not be a cause of trouble to my brother. (aiōn g165)