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

Acting in Love

13 Therefore, let’s no longer criticize[a] each other. Instead, make up your mind not to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. 14 I know—and have been persuaded by the Lord Jesus—that nothing is unclean in and of itself, but it is unclean to a person who thinks it is unclean. 15 For if your brother is being hurt by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not destroy the person for whom the Messiah[b] died by what you eat. 16 Do not allow what seems good to you to be spoken of as evil. 17 For God’s kingdom does not consist of food and drink, but of righteousness, peace, and joy produced by the Holy Spirit. 18 For the person who serves the Messiah[c] in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people. 19 Therefore, let’s keep on pursuing those things that bring peace and that lead to building up one another.

20 Do not destroy God’s action for the sake of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make another person stumble because of what you eat. 21 The right thing to do is to avoid eating meat, drinking wine, or doing anything else that makes your brother stumble, upset, or weak.[d]

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Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:13 Or let’s not criticize
  2. Romans 14:15 Or Christ
  3. Romans 14:18 Or Christ
  4. Romans 14:21 Other mss. lack upset, or weak