1 Corinthians 8

Paul addresses food offered to idols, teaching that an idol is nothing and that there is one God and one Lord Jesus Christ. He warns that knowledge puffs up but charity builds up, and that believers must be careful not to use their liberty in a way that causes a weaker brother to stumble.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.	Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "we all possess knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but charity builds up.
2	And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.	If anyone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know it as He ought to know it.
3	But if any man love God, the same is known of him.	But if anyone loves God, He is known by God.
4	As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.	So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is no God but one.
5	For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)	For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth — and there are many such gods and lords—
6	But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.	yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we exist. And there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were made and through whom we exist.
7	Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.	But not everyone possesses this knowledge. Some people, still accustomed to idols, eat such food as if it were really sacrificed to an idol, and their weak conscience is defiled.
8	But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.	Food does not bring us near to God — we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.
9	But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.	Be careful, however, that Your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak.
10	For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;	For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, who have knowledge, eating in an idol's temple, will He not be encouraged to eat what is sacrificed to idols?
11	And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?	So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is destroyed by Your knowledge.
12	But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.	When You sin against Your brothers in this way and wound their weak conscience, You sin against Christ.
13	Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.	Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother to fall, I will never eat meat again, rather than cause my brother to stumble.