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¹ NOW as concerning sacrifices offered to idols, we know well, that we all have knowledge; knowledge makes for pride, but love ennobles.² And if any man thinks that, of himself, he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know it.³ But if any man loves God, the same is known of him.

⁴ As concerning the eating of the food offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.⁵ For though there are those that are called gods, whether in heaven or earth, just as there are many gods and many lords,⁶ To us there is one God, the Father, from whom comes every thing and by whom we live; and one LORD Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

⁷ Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with clear conscience eat that which has been offered to idols as a sacrifice; and their conscience being weak is defiled.⁸ But meat does not bring us closer to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither if we do not eat, are we the worse.⁹ But be careful lest this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to the weak.¹⁰ For if any one should see you, who has knowledge, at table in the temple of idols, shall not the conscience of him who is weak encourage him to eat that which is sacrificed to idols?¹¹ So the one who is weak and for whom Christ died will be lost through your indifference.¹² And if you offend your brothers, and so influence their weak conscience, you also offend Christ.¹³ Therefore if meat causes my brother to stumble, I will eat no meat, so that I may not cause my brother to offend.