The Law of Love

13 Therefore, let us no longer judge one another.(A) Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in the way of your brother or sister.(B) 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself.(C) Still, to someone who considers a thing to be unclean, to that one it is unclean.(D) 15 For if your brother or sister is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love.(E) Do not destroy, by what you eat, someone for whom Christ died.(F) 16 Therefore, do not let your good be slandered,(G) 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking,(H) but righteousness, peace, and joy(I) in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ(J) in this way is acceptable to God and receives human approval.(K)

19 So then, let us pursue what promotes peace(L) and what builds up one another.(M) 20 Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make someone fall by what he eats.(N) 21 It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 14:21 Other mss add or offended or weakened

Do Not Make Another Stumble

13 Let us therefore no longer pass judgment on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother or sister.(A) 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself, but it is unclean for anyone who considers it unclean.(B) 15 If your brother or sister is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. 16 So do not let your good be slandered. 17 For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.(C) 18 The one who serves Christ in this way is acceptable to God and has human approval.(D) 19 Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.(E) 20 Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong to make someone stumble by what you eat; 21 it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.[a](F)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.21 Other ancient authorities add or be upset or be weakened