19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace(A) and to mutual edification.(B) 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.(C) All food is clean,(D) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.(E) 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.(F)

22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn(G) himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts(H) is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.[a]

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak(I) and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,(J) to build them up.(K) For even Christ did not please himself(L) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[b](M) For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us,(N) so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind(O) toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify(P) the God and Father(Q) of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:23 Some manuscripts place 16:25-27 here; others after 15:33.
  2. Romans 15:3 Psalm 69:9

19 So then we (A)pursue the things [a]which make for peace and the (B)building up of one another. 20 (C)Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. (D)All things indeed are clean, but (E)they are evil for the person who eats [b]and causes offense. 21 (F)It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother or sister stumbles. 22 The faith which you have, have [c]as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who (G)does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But (H)the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Self-denial in behalf of Others

15 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of (I)those without strength, and not just please ourselves. Each of us is to (J)please his neighbor [d]for his good, to his (K)edification. For even (L)Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “(M)The taunts of those who taunt You have fallen on Me.” For (N)whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Now may the (O)God [e]who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you (P)to be of the same mind with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that with one purpose and one [f]voice you may glorify (Q)the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes

  1. Romans 14:19 Lit of peace and the things of the building up
  2. Romans 14:20 Lit by offense
  3. Romans 14:22 Lit according to yourself
  4. Romans 15:2 Lit for what is good to edification
  5. Romans 15:5 Lit of perseverance
  6. Romans 15:6 Lit mouth