Romans 14:13-15:7

English Standard Version

Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

¹³^(A)Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide ^(B)never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. ¹⁴I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus ^(C)that nothing is unclean in itself, ^(D)but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. ¹⁵For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, ^(E)you are no longer walking in love. ^(F)By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. ¹⁶^(G)So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. ¹⁷^(H)For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but ^(I)of righteousness and ^(J)peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸Whoever thus serves Christ is ^(K)acceptable to God and approved by men. ¹⁹So then let us ^(L)pursue what makes for peace and for ^(M)mutual upbuilding.

²⁰^(N)Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. ^(O)Everything is indeed clean, but ^(P)it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. ²¹^(Q)It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.^[a] ²²The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. ^(R)Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. ²³But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.^[b]

The Example of Christ

15 ^(S)We who are strong ^(T)have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. ²^(U)Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. ³For ^(V)Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, ^(W)“The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me.” ⁴For ^(X)whatever was written in former days was written for our ^(Y)instruction, that through endurance and through ^(Z)the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. ⁵May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you ^(AA)to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, ⁶that together you may with one voice glorify ^(AB)the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.