²⁰ Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols,^(A) from sexual immorality,^(B) from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.^(C)

²⁵ As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.”^(A)

¹⁸ Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices^(A) participate in the altar? ¹⁹ Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?^{(B) 20} No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,^(C) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.

¹⁴ because the life of every creature is its blood. That is why I have said to the Israelites, “You must not eat the blood of any creature, because the life of every creature is its blood; anyone who eats it must be cut off.”^(A)

²⁰ Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.^(A) All food is clean,^(B) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.^{(C) 21} It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.^(D)

Doxology

²⁴ To him who is able^(A) to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence^(B) without fault^(C) and with great joy—