1 Corinthians

The first epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians, chapter 8, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 8 New English Translation

Food Sacrificed to Idols

   1 With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that "we all have knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If someone thinks he knows something, he does not yet know to the degree that he needs to know. 3 But if someone loves God, he is known by God.
   4 With regard then to eating food sacrificed to idols, we know that "an idol in this world is nothing, " and that "there is no God but one." 5 If after all there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many LORDs), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we live, and one LORD, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we live.
   7 But this knowledge is not shared by all. And some, by being accustomed to idols in former times, eat this food as an idol sacrifice, and their conscience, because it is weak, is defiled. 8 Now food will not bring us close to God. We are no worse if we do not eat and no better if we do. 9 But be careful that this liberty of yours does not become a hindrance to the weak. 10 For if someone weak sees you who possess knowledge dining in an idol's temple, will not his conscience be "strengthened" to eat food offered to idols? 11 So by your knowledge the weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed. 12 If you sin against your brothers or sisters in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 For this reason, if food causes my brother or sister to sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I may not cause one of them to sin.

King James Version

   1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
   2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
   3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
   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.
   5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
   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.
   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.
   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.
   9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are 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;
   11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
   12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye 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.