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. 14 I 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. 15 For 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. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is (K)acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So 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]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:21 Some manuscripts add or be hindered or be weakened

13 So stop judging each other. Instead, this is what you should decide: never put a stumbling block or obstacle in the way of your brother or sister. 14 I know and I’m convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is wrong to eat in itself. But if someone thinks something is wrong to eat, it becomes wrong for that person. 15 If your brother or sister is upset by your food, you are no longer walking in love. Don’t let your food destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 And don’t let something you consider to be good be criticized as wrong. 17 God’s kingdom isn’t about eating food and drinking but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ this way pleases God and gets human approval.

19 So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. 20 Don’t destroy what God has done because of food. All food is acceptable, but it’s a bad thing if it trips someone else. 21 It’s a good thing not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything that trips your brother or sister.

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13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment(A) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.(B) 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.(C) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.(D) 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.(E) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.(F) 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.(G) 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,(H) but of righteousness, peace(I) and joy in the Holy Spirit,(J) 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.(K)

19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace(L) and to mutual edification.(M) 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.(N) All food is clean,(O) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.(P) 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.(Q)

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