Do Not Cause Another to Stumble

13 (A)Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide (B)never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus (C)that nothing is unclean in itself, (D)but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15 For if your brother is grieved by what you eat, (E)you are no longer walking in love. (F)By what you eat, do not destroy the one for whom Christ died. 16 (G)So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. 17 (H)For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but (I)of righteousness and (J)peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is (K)acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us (L)pursue what makes for peace and for (M)mutual upbuilding.

20 (N)Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. (O)Everything is indeed clean, but (P)it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. 21 (Q)It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:21 Some manuscripts add or be hindered or be weakened

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