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 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling. 14 I know, and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean of itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 For if because of meat thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy meat him for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he that herein serveth Christ is well-pleasing to God, and approved of men. 19 So then [a]let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. 20 Overthrow not for meat’s sake the work of God. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth[b].

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:19 Many ancient authorities read we follow.
  2. Romans 14:21 Many ancient authorities add or is offended, or is weak.

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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