The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
King James Version KJV
1 Now about food sacrificed to idols: we know that, as you say, "We all have knowledge." Yes, that is so, but "knowledge" puffs a person up with pride; whereas love builds up.
1
Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 The person who thinks he "knows" something doesn't yet know in the way he ought to know.
2
And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 However, if someone loves God, God knows him.
3
But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
4 So, as for eating food sacrificed to idols, we "know" that, as you say, "An idol has no real existence in the world, and there is only one God."
4
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 For even if there are so-called "gods," either in heaven or on earth - as in fact there are "gods" and "lords" galore -
5
For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all things come and for whom we exist; and one Lord, Yeshua the Messiah, through whom were created all things and through whom we have our being.
6
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 But not everyone has this knowledge. Moreover, some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat food which has been sacrificed to them, they think of it as really affected by the idol; and their consciences, being weak, are thus defiled.
7
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 Now food will not improve our relationship with God - we will be neither poorer if we abstain nor richer if we eat.
8
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 However watch out that your mastery of the situation does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
9
But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
10 You have this "knowledge"; but suppose someone with a weak conscience sees you sitting, eating a meal in the temple of an idol. Won't he be built up wrongly to eat this food which has been sacrificed to idols?
10
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 Thus by your "knowledge" this weak person is destroyed, this brother for whom the Messiah died;
11
And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 and so, when you sin against the brothers by wounding their conscience when it is weak, you are sinning against the Messiah!
12
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 To sum up, if food will be a snare for my brother, I will never eat meat again, lest I cause my brother to sin.
13
Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
The King James Version is in the public domain.