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13 Therefore let us not (A)judge one another anymore, but rather judge this—(B)not to put a stumbling block or offense before a brother. 14 I know and am convinced [a]in the Lord Jesus that (C)nothing is defiled in itself; but to him who (D)considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled. 15 For if because of food your brother is grieved, you are no longer (E)walking according to love. (F)Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore (G)do not let what is for you a good thing be [b]slandered; 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 he who in this way (K)serves Christ is (L)pleasing to God and approved by men. 19 So then [c]let us (M)pursue the things 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 man who eats [d]and gives offense. 21 (R)It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother stumbles.

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:14 Lit through
  2. Romans 14:16 Or blasphemed
  3. Romans 14:19 Some mss we pursue
  4. Romans 14:20 Lit through stumbling, cf. 14:13, 21

13 So stop judging each other. Instead, this is what you should decide: never put a stumbling block or obstacle in the way of your brother or sister. 14 I know and I’m convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is wrong to eat in itself. But if someone thinks something is wrong to eat, it becomes wrong for that person. 15 If your brother or sister is upset by your food, you are no longer walking in love. Don’t let your food destroy someone for whom Christ died. 16 And don’t let something you consider to be good be criticized as wrong. 17 God’s kingdom isn’t about eating food and drinking but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ this way pleases God and gets human approval.

19 So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. 20 Don’t destroy what God has done because of food. All food is acceptable, but it’s a bad thing if it trips someone else. 21 It’s a good thing not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything that trips your brother or sister.

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