Romans 14

1 Accept those who are not sure [whether God will permit them to do certain things some people think are wrong]. But [when you accept them], do not argue with them about what they think/their opinions.

But receive to yourselves him who is weak in faith, not into disputations of doubtful matters.

2 Some people believe that they may eat all [kinds of food]. Others believe [that God does not want them to eat certain things, so they] believe that they may not eat meat.

One indeed believes he is to eat all things: another who is weak, vegetables.

3 Anyone who [thinks that it is all right to] eat [all kinds of food] must not despise those who [think it is] not [all right to] eat [all kinds of food]. Anyone who [thinks it is] not [all right to] eat [all kinds of food] must not (condemn/say that [God] will punish) those who [think that it is all right to] eat [all kinds of food], because God himself has accepted those people.

Let not the one eating snub the one not eating. Let not the one not eating judge the one eating; for God received him.

4 [God is the master of us all, so] ([he is the one who will decide whether those people have done wrong!/who are you to decide whether they have done wrong]?) [RHQ] [Therefore], you have no right [RHQ] to condemn those who eat everything, because they are [also God’s servants! And just like] it is the servants’ own master who accepts or condemns [MTY] his servants, [it is God who accepts or condemns us]. And [believers] will be accepted [by] the Lord {[the Lord] will accept [believers]} [regardless of whether they eat meat or not], because he is able to keep them [trusting in him].

Who art thou judging another man's servant? to his own master he stands or falls: but he shall stand; for God is able to make him stand.

5 Some people regard certain days as [holy] and think that the other [days] are not [holy]. Other people regard all days as [equally suitable for worshipping God]. Each person should be fully convinced [about such matters], thinking and deciding for himself [and not for others].

For one indeed judges a day above a day: another judges every day (alike); let each one be fully persuaded in his own mind.

6 As for those who believe that they should worship on [a certain] day [of the week], it is to [honor] the Lord [that they worship on that day]. And as for those who [think that it is all right to] eat [all kinds of food], it is to [honor] the Lord [that they eat those foods], as is clear from their thanking God [for the food that they eat]. As for those who abstain from [eating certain kinds of] food, it is to [honor] the Lord that they do not eat [those foods], and they also thank God [for the food that they do eat. So doing either of those things is not wrong in itself].

The one regarding the day, regards it to the Lord: the one eating, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and the one not eating, eats not to the Lord, and gives thanks to God.

7 None of us should live [merely] to [please] ourselves, and none of us [should choose when or how we will] die, [merely] to [please] ourselves.

For no one of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself:

8 While we live, it is the Lord whom we belong to [and should be trying to please, and not just ourselves]. And when we die, it is the Lord whom we should [be trying to please]. So, while we live and also when we die, we should be trying to please the Lord to whom we belong, [not just ourselves],

for if indeed we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Then indeed if we live, and if we die, we are the Lord's.

9 because the very purpose for which Christ died and became alive again is that he might be Lord whom all people should try to please, both of those who have already died and of those who are still living.

For unto this Christ died, and lives, in order that He may be Lord of the dead and of the living.

10 (It is disgraceful that you [who practice certain religious regulations] say that God will punish your fellow believers [who do not practice those regulations]!/Why do you [who practice certain religious regulations] say God will punish your fellow believers [who do not practice such regulations]?) [RHQ] [I say this because the time will come when] all of us will stand before God in order that he will say whether or not he approves [MTY] [of what we have done]. So you [who do not practice such regulations], (should not despise your fellow believers [who practice them]!/why do you despise your fellow believers [who practice them]?) [RHQ]

But why do you judge your neighbor, or indeed why do you discount your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of God.

11 [We know this] because it is written {[a prophet/Isaiah] wrote} [what God has said]: Everyone will bow down before me! That is as [certain as the fact that] I live [IDM]! Everyone [SYN] will acknowledge [that because I am] God, I have the [right to judge and punish people.]

For it has been written; As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

12 So [it is clear that] it is God who will decide [whether or not he approves of] what each of us has done.

Then therefore each one of us shall give an account to God for himself.

13 Since [it is God who will judge everyone], we must stop saying that [God should] punish some of our fellow believers! Instead, you/we should decide that you/we will not do anything that would [be an example that might cause] fellow believers to stop trusting in God [DOU].

Then let us no longer judge one another: but rather judge this, not to place before a brother an offence for a stumblingblock.

14 I am absolutely certain [DOU] because of [my close relationship with] (OR, [my belonging to]) the Lord Jesus that there is nothing that by itself is wrong [to eat]. But if people think it is wrong to eat something, then to them it is wrong to eat it. [So you should not encourage them to eat it].

I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: except to him who considers it unclean, to him it is unclean.

15 If you [eat] food [MET] that anyone for whom Christ died [thinks that it is wrong to eat, that person might be encouraged] {[you might be encouraging that person]} [to do something that he believes is wrong. As a result, you might cause that] fellow believer [to stop trusting in God]. In that way he would be ruined [spiritually] just because you have stopped behaving as one who loves [others should behave]!

But if your brother is grieved on account of your meat, you are no longer walking in divine love. Do not by your meat destroy him for whom Christ died.

16 Similarly, do not [do something that you think is] good if, [as a result, your fellow believer would sin and then] others would speak evil [of you who say that you are Christians].

Let not your good be blasphemed.

17 Letting God rule our lives [MET] does not mean [that we must obey regulations about] eating or drinking [something]! Instead, [it means we must] live righteously, [act] peacefully [towards others], and be joyful by [the power of] the Holy Spirit.

For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.

18 Those who serve Christ [by acting] in such ways please God, and others will also respect them.

For in this the one serving Christ is acceptable to God, and approved unto men.

19 So we should always eagerly try to [live in a way that will cause] peace [among fellow Christians], and we should try to do what will help each other to mature [spiritually].

Then therefore we pursue the things belonging to peace, and edification towards one another.

20 Do not destroy what God has done [in the life of any believer] just because of [your eating certain kinds of] food [MET] [which that person considers wrong to eat! God] permits us to eat every [kind of food]. But if, by your eating [certain kinds of food], you encourage another person to sin [by doing what he believes is wrong], you are doing wrong.

Do not destroy the work of God on account of meat. All things are pure; but it is evil to the man who eats with offence:

21 It is good neither to eat meat nor to drink wine, nor [to do anything else at any time if it] will cause one of your fellow believers to stop trusting in God.

it is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything by which your brother stumbles.

22 Let God tell you [what things are right for you to do, but do not try to force others to accept what you believe. God is] pleased with those who do what they know is right and as a result do not feel guilty [concerning what they have done], [because they have done only] those things that they believe are right.

The faith which you have, have it with yourself before God. Happy is the one not judging himself in that which he approves:

23 But some believers are not certain [that God will approve of their eating a certain kind of food]. So if they eat it, [they think that God will punish] them. And they [truly] will be punished {[God truly] will punish them}, because [they have done things that they] believe [are not right]. Those who do anything without being certain [that God considers it to be right] are sinning.

but if he may eat doubting, he has been condemned, because it is not of faith; but every thing which is not of faith is sin.