1 Corinthians 8

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

1Now about things offered to images: we all seem to ourselves to have knowledge. Knowledge gives pride, but love gives true strength.

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

2If anyone seems to himself to have knowledge, so far he has not the right sort of knowledge about anything;

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

3But if anyone has love for God, God has knowledge of him.

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

4So, then, as to the question of taking food offered to images, we are certain that an image is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.

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

5For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords,

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

6There is for us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we have our being through him.

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

7Still, all men have not that knowledge: but some, being used till now to the image, are conscious that they are taking food which has been offered to the image; and because they are not strong in the faith, their minds are troubled.

8But 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;

8But God's approval of us is not based on the food we take: if we do not take it we are no worse for it; and if we take it we are no better.

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

9But take care that this power of yours does not give cause for trouble to the feeble.

10for 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,

10For if a man sees you, who have knowledge, taking food as a guest in the house of an image, will it not give him, if he is feeble, the idea that he may take food offered to images?

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

11And so, through your knowledge, you are the cause of destruction to your brother, for whom Christ underwent death.

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

12And in this way, doing evil to the brothers, and causing trouble to those whose faith is feeble, you are sinning against Christ.

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

13For this reason, if food is a cause of trouble to my brother, I will give up taking meat for ever, so that I may not be a cause of trouble to my brother.