1 Corinthians 8
1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
And concerning sacrifices to idols, we know, that in all of us there is knowledge; and knowledge inflateth, but love edifieth.
2 But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
And if any one thinketh that he knoweth any thing he knoweth nothing yet, as he ought to know it.
3 But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.
But if any one loveth God, that man is known of 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 God but one.
As to the eating of the sacrifices of idols, therefore, we know that an idol is nothing 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;"
For although there are what are called gods, whether in heaven, or on earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many, )
6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.
yet to us, on our part, there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord, Jesus the Messiah, by whom are all things, and we also by him.
7 However, not all have this knowledge. But some, being so accustomed to idols until now, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
But there is not this knowledge in every man; for there are some, who, to the present time, in their conscience, eat it as an offering to idols; and because their conscience is weak, it is defiled.
8 But food will not commend us to God. For neither, if we do not eat, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.
But food doth not bring us near to God; for if we eat, we do not abound; and if we eat not, we are not in want.
9 But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.
See to it, however, lest this your authority become a stumbling-block to the weak.
10 For if someone 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?
For if one should see thee in whom there is knowledge, reclining in the temple of idols, will not his conscience, seeing he is a weak person, be encouraged to eat what is sacrificed?
11 And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whom the Christ died.
And by thy knowledge, he who is feeble, and on account of whom the Messiah died, will perish.
12 Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
And if ye thus sin against your brethren, and wound the consciences of the feeble, ye sin against the Messiah.
