< 1 Corinthians 8 >
1 Now, concerning the idol-sacrifices, we are aware—because we, all, have knowledge, —knowledge, puffeth up, but, love, buildeth up;
Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.
2 If anyone thinketh that he knoweth anything, not yet knoweth he, as he must needs come to know,
But if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
3 But, if anyone loveth God, the same, is known of him—
But if anyone loves God, the same is known by him.
4 Concerning, then, the eating of idol-sacrifices, we are aware—that an idol is, nothing, in the world, and that, none, is God save one.
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.
5 For, if indeed there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, —as indeed there are gods many and lords many,
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, for him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and, we, through him.
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.
7 Howbeit, not in all, is the knowledge; but, some, by their familiarity, until even now, with the idol, as an idol-sacrifice, eat it, and, their conscience, being, weak, is defiled.
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.
8 Food, indeed, will not commend us unto God, —neither, if we eat not, do we lack, nor, if we eat, do we abound.
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.
9 But be taking heed, lest, by any means, your right, itself, become, an occasion of stumbling, unto the weak;
But be careful that by no means does this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.
10 For, if anyone should see [thee] who hast knowledge, in an idol-temple, reclining, will not, his conscience, being, weak, be built up for the eating of the idol-sacrifices?
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?
11 In fact, he that is weak, is being destroyed, by thy knowledge—the brother for whose sake Christ died.
And through your knowledge, he who is weak perishes, the brother for whom the Christ died.
12 But, in thus sinning against the brethren am wounding their conscience, seeing it is weak, against Christ, are ye sinning.
Thus, sinning against the brothers, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food is an occasion of stumbling unto my brother, in nowise will I eat flesh unto the age that abideth, —that, I may not occasion, my brother, to stumble. (aiōn )
Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat forevermore, that I do not cause my brother to stumble. (aiōn )