13 Therefore let’s not (A)judge one another anymore, but rather [a]determine this: (B)not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. 14 I know and am convinced [b]in the Lord Jesus that (C)nothing is [c]unclean in itself; but to the one who (D)thinks something is [d]unclean, to that person it is [e]unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer (E)walking in accordance with love. (F)Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore (G)do not let what is for you a good thing be [f]spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God (H)is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and (I)peace and (J)joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For the one who (K)serves Christ in this way is (L)acceptable to God and approved by other people. 19 So then we (M)pursue the things [g]which make for peace and the (N)building up of one another. 20 (O)Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. (P)All things indeed are clean, but (Q)they are evil for the person who eats [h]and causes offense. 21 (R)It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother or sister stumbles.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:13 Lit judge
  2. Romans 14:14 Lit through
  3. Romans 14:14 I.e., ceremonially unclean; lit common
  4. Romans 14:14 I.e., ceremonially unclean; lit common
  5. Romans 14:14 I.e., ceremonially unclean; lit common
  6. Romans 14:16 Lit blasphemed
  7. Romans 14:19 Lit of peace and the things of the building up
  8. Romans 14:20 Lit by offense

13 Therefore let us not judge one another [a]anymore, but rather resolve this, (A)not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way.

The Law of Love

14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus (B)that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. (C)Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 (D)Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 (E)for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and (F)peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in [b]these things (G)is acceptable to God and approved by men.

19 (H)Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which (I)one may [c]edify another. 20 (J)Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. (K)All things indeed are pure, (L)but it is evil for the man who eats with [d]offense. 21 It is good neither to eat (M)meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles [e]or is offended or is made weak.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:13 any longer
  2. Romans 14:18 NU this thing
  3. Romans 14:19 build up
  4. Romans 14:20 A feeling of giving offense
  5. Romans 14:21 NU omits the rest of v. 21.

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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