1 Corinthians 8

New International Version

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

8 Now about food sacrificed to idols:^(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”^(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. ²Those who think they know something^(C) do not yet know as they ought to know.^(D) ³But whoever loves God is known by God.^[a]^(E)

⁴So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:^(F) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”^(G) and that “There is no God but one.”^(H) ⁵For even if there are so-called gods,^(I) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶yet for us there is but one God,^(J) the Father,^(K) from whom all things came^(L) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,^(M) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came^(N) and through whom we live.

⁷But not everyone possesses this knowledge.^(O) Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak,^(P) it is defiled. ⁸But food does not bring us near to God;^(Q) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

⁹Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block^(R) to the weak.^(S) ¹⁰For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?^(T) ¹¹So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed^(U) by your knowledge. ¹²When you sin against them^(V) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.^(W) ¹³Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.^(X)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

1 Corinthians 8:3 An early manuscript and another ancient witness think they have knowledge do not yet know as they ought to know. ³But whoever loves truly knows.

Proverbs 9

New International Version

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly

9 Wisdom has built^(A) her house;
    she has set up^[a] its seven pillars.
²She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;^(B)
    she has also set her table.^(C)
³She has sent out her servants, and she calls^(D)
    from the highest point of the city,^(E)
⁴    “Let all who are simple^(F) come to my house!”
To those who have no sense^(G) she says,
⁵    “Come,^(H) eat my food
    and drink the wine I have mixed.^(I)
⁶Leave your simple ways and you will live;^(J)
    walk in the way of insight.”^(K)

⁷Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.^(L)
⁸Do not rebuke mockers^(M) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.^(N)
⁹Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.^(O)

¹⁰The fear of the Lord^(P) is the beginning of wisdom,
    and knowledge of the Holy One^(Q) is understanding.^(R)
¹¹For through wisdom^[b] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.^(S)
¹²If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
    if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.

¹³Folly is an unruly woman;^(T)
    she is simple and knows nothing.^(U)
¹⁴She sits at the door of her house,
    on a seat at the highest point of the city,^(V)
¹⁵calling out^(W) to those who pass by,
    who go straight on their way,
¹⁶    “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense^(X) she says,
¹⁷    “Stolen water is sweet;
    food eaten in secret is delicious!^(Y)”
¹⁸But little do they know that the dead are there,
    that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.^(Z)