¹ And concerning the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that we all have knowledge: knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up;

² and if any one doth think to know anything, he hath not yet known anything according as it behoveth him to know;

³ and if any one doth love God, this one hath been known by Him.

⁴ Concerning the eating then of the things sacrificed to idols, we have known that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God except one;

⁵ for even if there are those called gods, whether in heaven, whether upon earth--as there are gods many and lords many--

⁶ yet to us is one God, the Father, of whom are the all things, and we to Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are the all things, and we through Him;

⁷ but not in all men is the knowledge, and certain with conscience of the idol, till now, as a thing sacrificed to an idol do eat it , and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.

⁸ But victuals do not commend us to God, for neither if we may eat are we in advance; nor if we may not eat, are we behind;

⁹ but see, lest this privilege of yours may become a stumbling-block to the infirm,

¹⁰ for if any one may see thee that hast knowledge in an idol's temple reclining at meat--shall not his conscience--he being infirm--be emboldened to eat the things sacrificed to idols,

¹¹ and the brother who is infirm shall perish by thy knowledge, because of whom Christ died?

¹² and thus sinning in regard to the brethren, and smiting their weak conscience--in regard to Christ ye sin;

¹³ wherefore, if victuals cause my brother to stumble, I may eat no flesh--to the age--that my brother I may not cause to stumble.