1 Corinthians 8:4-13

English Standard Version

⁴ Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that ^(A)“an idol has no real existence,” and that ^(B)“there is no God but one.” ⁵ For although there may be ^(C)so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— ⁶ yet ^(D)for us there is one God, the Father, ^(E)from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and ^(F)one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and ^(G)through whom we exist.

⁷ However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, ^(H)through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and ^(I)their conscience, being weak, is defiled. ^8 (J)Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. ⁹ But take care ^(K)that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block ^(L)to the weak. ¹⁰ For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating^[a] in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged,^[b] if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? ¹¹ And so by your knowledge this weak person is ^(M)destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. ¹² Thus, sinning against your brothers^[c] and ^(N)wounding their conscience when it is weak, ^(O)you sin against Christ. ¹³ Therefore, ^(P)if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.