1 KwabaseKhorinte 8
1 Mayelana lokudla okunikelwe ezithombeni: Siyakwazi ukuthi sonke silolwazi. Ulwazi luyakhukhumeza, kodwa uthando luyakha.
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 Umuntu ocabanga ukuthi wazi ulutho kakazi lutho njengoba efanele ukwazi.
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 Kodwa umuntu othanda uNkulunkulu, uNkulunkulu uyamazi lowomuntu.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 Ngakho-ke, mayelana lokudla okunikelwe ezithombeni: Siyakwazi ukuthi “Isithombe kasisilutho emhlabeni” kanye lokuthi “UNkulunkulu munye kuphela kakho omunye.”
As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol [is] nothing in the world, and that [there is] none other God but one.
5 Ngoba lanxa kulabonkulunkulu abatshiwoyo, langabe ezulwini loba emhlabeni (njengoba impela kulabonkulunkulu abanengi lamakhosi amanengi),
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many, )
6 kodwa kithi kuloNkulunkulu oyedwa kuphela, uYise, okwavela kuye izinto zonke njalo okunguye esimphilelayo; njalo kuleNkosi eyodwa kuphela, uJesu Khristu, izinto zonke zeza ngaye njalo esiphila ngaye.
But to us [there is but] one God, the Father, of whom [are] all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom [are] all things, and we by him.
7 Kodwa akusimuntu wonke okwaziyo lokhu. Abanye abantu balokhu bejayele izithombe kuze kuthi lapho besidla ukudla okunjalo, bacabange ukuthi kunikelwe esithombeni njalo njengoba isazela sabo sibuthakathaka, siyangcoliswa.
Howbeit [there is] not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 Kodwa ukudla akusisondezi eduzane loNkulunkulu; kasilahlekelwa yilutho nxa singadli, njalo kasizuzi lutho nxa sisidla.
But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
9 Kodwa qaphelani ukuba ukusebenza kwamalungelo enu akubi yisikhubekiso kwababuthakathaka.
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 Ngoba nxa umuntu olesazela esibuthakathaka ebona lina elilalolulwazi lisidla ethempelini lesithombe, kambe kazukuba lesibindi sokudla okunikelwe ezithombeni na?
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
11 Ngakho umzalwane lo, uKhristu amfelayo, uchithwa yikwazi kwenu.
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 Nxa lisenza isono kubazalwane benu kanje lilimaza isazela sabo esibuthakathaka, lenza isono kuKhristu.
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
