1 Corinthians 8

1 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.

Now about things offered to images: we all seem to ourselves to have knowledge. Knowledge gives pride, but love gives true strength.

2 If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;

If anyone seems to himself to have knowledge, so far he has not the right sort of knowledge about anything;

3 but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.

But if anyone has love for God, God has knowledge of him.

4 Concerning therefore 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.

So, then, as to the question of taking food offered to images, we are certain that an image is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.

5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;

For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords,

6 yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.

There is for us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we have our being through him.

7 Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as [of] a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

Still, all men have not that knowledge: but some, being used till now to the image, are conscious that they are taking food which has been offered to the image; and because they are not strong in the faith, their minds are troubled.

8 But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

But God's approval of us is not based on the food we take: if we do not take it we are no worse for it; and if we take it we are no better.

9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.

But take care that this power of yours does not give cause for trouble to the feeble.

10 For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?

For if a man sees you, who have knowledge, taking food as a guest in the house of an image, will it not give him, if he is feeble, the idea that he may take food offered to images?

11 For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.

And so, through your knowledge, you are the cause of destruction to your brother, for whom Christ underwent death.

12 And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.

And in this way, doing evil to the brothers, and causing trouble to those whose faith is feeble, you are sinning against Christ.

13 Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble. (aiōn g165)

For this reason, if food is a cause of trouble to my brother, I will give up taking meat for ever, so that I may not be a cause of trouble to my brother. (aiōn g165)