¹⁷ For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,^(A) but of righteousness, peace^(B) and joy in the Holy Spirit,^{(C) 18} because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.^(D)

¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace^(E) and to mutual edification.^{(F) 20} Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.^(G) All food is clean,^(H) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.^(I)