¹⁴ ·I am in the Lord Jesus, and I know [^LI know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus] that there is ·no food that is wrong to eat [^Lnothing impure/unclean/defiling in itself]. But if a person ·believes [considers; regards] something is ·wrong [impure; unclean; defiling], that thing is ·wrong [impure; unclean; defiling] for him. ¹⁵ If ·you hurt your brother’s or sister’s faith [your brother or sister is distressed/grieved] because of something you eat, you are ·not really following the way of [^Lno longer walking/living in] love. ·Do not destroy someone’s faith by eating food he thinks is wrong, because Christ died for him [^LBy your eating do not destroy that one for whom Christ died!; ^Cso trivial a matter as food must not negate the tremendous sacrifice Christ made]. ¹⁶ Do not allow what you think is good to ·become what others say is evil [be criticized/regarded as evil; ^Lbe slandered/blasphemed]. ¹⁷ ·In the kingdom of God, eating and drinking are not important [^LFor the kingdom of God is not (about) eating and drinking]. The important things are ·living right with God [righteousness], peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. ¹⁸ Anyone who serves Christ by living this way is pleasing God and will be ·accepted [approved; respected] by other people.

¹⁹ So let us try to do what makes peace and ·helps [builds up; edifies] one another. ²⁰ Do not let the eating of food ·destroy [tear down] the work of God. All foods are ·all right to eat [clean; ritually undefiled], but it is wrong to eat food that causes someone else to ·sin [stumble; fall]. ²¹ It is ·better [good] not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that will cause your brother or sister to ·sin [stumble; fall].

²² Your beliefs about these things should be kept secret between you and God. ·People are happy [Blessed are those] ·if they can do what they think is right without feeling guilty [^Lwho do not condemn themselves concerning issues they have examined and approved]. ²³ But those who eat something ·without being sure it is right [while doubting; with misgivings] are ·wrong [condemned] because they did not believe it was right. Anything that ·is done without believing it is right [or does not come from faith] is sin.

15 We who are ·strong in faith [^Lstrong] should ·help [bear with; be patient with] the weak with their ·weaknesses [failings; struggles], and not please only ourselves. ² Let each of us please our neighbors for their good, to ·help them be stronger in faith [edify them; build them up]. ³ [^LFor] Even Christ did not live to please himself. It was as the Scriptures said: “·When people insult you, it hurts me [^LThe insults of those who insulted you have fallen on me; Ps. 69:9].” ⁴ [^LFor] Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us. The Scriptures give us ·patience [endurance] and encouragement so that we can have hope. ⁵ May ·the patience and encouragement that come from God [^Lthe God of patience and encouragement] ·allow you to live in harmony with each other the way Christ Jesus wants [or grant you the same attitude with each other that Christ Jesus had]. ⁶ ·Then [^L…so that] ·you will all be joined together and [^Ltogether with one voice/mouth] you will give glory to God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁷ Accept each another, just as Christ accepted you. ·This will bring glory to God [or In this way Christ brought glory to God; ^L…to the glory of God]. ⁸ [^LFor] I tell you that Christ became a servant of the ·Jews [^Lcircumcised] to ·show [confirm] that God’s promises to the ·Jewish ancestors [patriarchs; fathers] are true. ⁹ And he also did this so that the Gentiles could give glory to God for the mercy he gives to them. [^LJust as] It is written in the Scriptures:

¹⁰ ·The Scripture also [^LAnd again it] says,

¹¹ ·Again the Scripture says [^LAnd again],

¹² And [^Lagain] Isaiah says,

¹³ I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with ·much [^Lall] joy and peace ·while you trust [because you trust; through your faith] in him. Then your hope will overflow by the power of the Holy Spirit.