¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork,^(A) created^(B) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(C) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

⁷ But not everyone possesses this knowledge.^(A) 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,^(B) it is defiled. ⁸ But food does not bring us near to God;^(C) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

⁹ Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block^(D) to the weak.^{(E) 10} For 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?^{(F) 11} So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed^(G) by your knowledge. ¹² When you sin against them^(H) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.^{(I) 13} Therefore, 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.^(J)

¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,^(A) the new creation^(B) has come:^[a] The old has gone, the new is here!^(C)

¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork,^(A) created^(B) in Christ Jesus to do good works,^(C) which God prepared in advance for us to do.

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches^(A) he may strengthen you with power^(B) through his Spirit in your inner being,^{(C) 17} so that Christ may dwell in your hearts^(D) through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted^(E) and established in love,