14 It is difficult for some Christians to trust God completely about everything. You should accept people like that as your friends. Do not argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 Some people believe that they may eat all kinds of food. But other people are not so sure, so they eat only vegetables. 3 People who eat anything must not think that they are better than people who eat only vegetables. Also, people who eat only vegetables must not judge other people who eat anything. They are not doing anything wrong, because God himself has accepted them.
4 God is the master of all believers and they are his servants. You do not have authority to judge someone else's servant. The servant's own master will decide if he has done well or he has done something wrong. And he will serve his master well, because the Lord is able to help him to do that.
5 Some people think that certain days are special and more important than other days. Other people think that all days are the same. Each person should decide what seems right to him. 6 A person who makes a certain day special does that so that he can respect the Lord. A person who eats all kinds of food does that so that he can respect the Lord. He thanks God for the food that he eats. A person who refuses to eat certain foods also does that so that he can respect the Lord. And he also thanks God.
7 None of us lives only to please ourselves. And we do not die to please ourselves. 8 While we live, we want to please the Lord. And when we die, we want that to please the Lord too. So, while we live, or if we die, we continue to belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and then he became alive again. That happened so that he could be the Lord of all people, those who have died and those who are still alive.
10 So then, if you eat only vegetables, you must not judge other believers. Also, if you eat anything, you must not think that you are better than other believers. Remember that all of us will have to stand in front of God. He will decide whether we have done what is right or wrong. 11 This is written in the Bible:
‘The Lord God says,
“As surely as I live, this will certainly happen:
Everyone will go down on their knees in front of me.
Everyone will praise me that I am God.” ’ [ a ]
12 So each of us will have to explain to God about the things that we have done.
13 So we must no longer judge other believers. Instead, you must decide never to bring trouble to another believer. Do not cause them to do something wrong. 14 As for me, I am sure that we may eat any kind of food. God does not think that any food is unclean. The Lord Jesus has shown me that that is true. But someone else may believe that it is wrong to eat certain food. For that person, it would be wrong to eat that kind of food.
15 You should not cause another believer to be sad because of what you eat. If you do make him sad, then you are not really loving him. Remember that Christ died on behalf of that person. So do not let your food make him turn away from God. 16 You may think that something is good. But still you should not do it, if other people will say that it is bad.
17 We belong to God's people and he is our King. The things that we eat and drink are not really important to him. This is important: We should do what is right. We should have peace in our minds. And we should be truly happy. God's Holy Spirit helps us to live like that. 18 If anyone serves Christ in that way, they will make God happy. And other people will respect them.
19 So then, we should try to live in a way that brings peace. We should try to help each other so that we become stronger as God's people. 20 Do not bring trouble to someone because of the food that you eat. Do not destroy what God has done in the life of another believer. God lets us eat all kinds of food. But do not eat anything that will cause another believer to do something wrong. 21 It is good not to do anything that might cause another believer to do something wrong. That includes if you eat meat or if you drink wine.
22 What you believe about these things should be a secret between yourself and God. You should do what you have decided is right for you. Do not feel guilty about what you eat. Then God will bless you. 23 But someone else may not be sure whether it is right to eat certain kinds of food. If that person does eat that kind of food, then he shows that he is guilty. He has not trusted God that it is right for him to do that. Whatever things we do, we must trust God about them. If we do not trust God that something is right, then it is a sin.
14 Be willing to accept those who still have doubts about what believers can do. And don’t argue with them about their different ideas. 2 Some people believe they can eat any kind of food, [ a ] but those who have doubts eat only vegetables. 3 Those who know they can eat any kind of food must not feel that they are better than those who eat only vegetables. And those who eat only vegetables must not decide that those who eat all foods are wrong. God has accepted them. 4 You cannot judge the servants of someone else. Their own master decides if they are doing right or wrong. And the Lord’s servants will be right, because the Lord is able to make them right.
5 Some people might believe that one day is more important than another. And others might believe that every day is the same. Everyone should be sure about their beliefs in their own mind. 6 Those who think one day is more important than other days are doing that for the Lord. And those who eat all kinds of food are doing that for the Lord. Yes, they give thanks to God for that food. And those who refuse to eat some foods do that for the Lord. They also give thanks to God.
7 We don’t live or die just for ourselves. 8 If we live, we are living for the Lord. And if we die, we are dying for the Lord. So living or dying, we belong to the Lord. 9 That is why Christ died and rose from death to live again—so that he could be Lord over those who have died and those who are living.
10 So why do you judge your brother or sister in Christ? Or why do you think that you are better than they are? We will all stand before God, and he will judge us all. 11 Yes, the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘Everyone will bow before me;
everyone will say that I am God.’” ( A )
12 So each of us will have to explain to God about the things we do.
13 So we should stop judging each other. Let’s decide not to do anything that will cause a problem for a brother or sister or hurt their faith. 14 I know that there is no food that is wrong to eat. The Lord Jesus is the one who convinced me of that. But if someone believes that something is wrong, then it is wrong for that person.
15 If you hurt the faith of your brother or sister because of something you eat, you are not really following the way of love. Don’t destroy anyone’s faith by eating something they think is wrong. Christ died for them. 16 Don’t allow what is good for you to become something they say is evil. 17 In God’s kingdom, what we eat and drink is not important. Here is what is important: a right way of life, peace, and joy—all from the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever serves Christ by living this way is pleasing God, and they will be accepted by others.
19 So let’s try as hard as we can to do what will bring peace. Let’s do whatever will help each other grow stronger in faith. 20 Don’t let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All food is right to eat, but it is wrong for anyone to eat something that hurts the faith of another person. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that hurts the faith of your brother or sister.
22 You should keep your beliefs about these things a secret between yourself and God. It is a blessing to be able to do what you think is right without feeling guilty. 23 But anyone who eats something without being sure it is right is doing wrong. That is because they did not believe it was right. And if you do anything that you believe is not right, it is sin.
14 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
14 Now ( A ) accept the one who is ( B ) weak [ a ] in faith, but not [ b ] to have quarrels over opinions. 2 ( C ) One person has faith that he may eat all things, but the one who is ( D ) weak eats only vegetables. 3 The one who eats is not to ( E ) regard with contempt the one who does not eat, and the one who does not eat is not to ( F ) judge the one who eats, for God has ( G ) accepted him. 4 ( H ) Who are you to judge the [ c ] servant of another? To his own [ d ] master he stands or falls; and he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
5 ( I ) One person [ e ] values one day over another, another [ f ] values every day the same . Each person must be ( J ) fully convinced in his own mind. 6 The one who observes the day, observes it for the Lord, and the one who eats, [ g ] does so with regard to the Lord, for he ( K ) gives thanks to God; and the one who does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat, and he gives thanks to God. 7 For not one of us ( L ) lives for himself, and not one dies for himself; 8 for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore ( M ) whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end ( N ) Christ died and lived again , that He might be ( O ) Lord both of the dead and of the living.
10 But as for you, why do you judge your brother or sister ? Or you as well, why do you ( P ) regard your brother or sister with contempt? For ( Q ) we will all appear before the judgment seat of God. 11 For it is written:
“ ( R ) As I live, says the Lord , ( S ) to Me every knee will bow ,
And every tongue will [ h ] give praise to God .”
12 So then ( T ) each one of us will give an account of himself to God.
13 Therefore let’s not ( U ) judge one another anymore, but rather [ i ] determine this: ( V ) not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s or sister’s way. 14 I know and am convinced [ j ] in the Lord Jesus that ( W ) nothing is [ k ] unclean in itself; but to the one who ( X ) thinks something is [ l ] unclean, to that person it is [ m ] unclean. 15 For if because of food your brother or sister is hurt, you are no longer ( Y ) walking in accordance with love. ( Z ) Do not destroy with your choice of food that person for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore ( AA ) do not let what is for you a good thing be [ n ] spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God ( AB ) is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and ( AC ) peace and ( AD ) joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For the one who ( AE ) serves Christ in this way is ( AF ) acceptable to God and approved by other people. 19 So then we ( AG ) pursue the things [ o ] which make for peace and the ( AH ) building up of one another. 20 ( AI ) Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. ( AJ ) All things indeed are clean, but ( AK ) they are evil for the person who eats [ p ] and causes offense. 21 ( AL ) 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 [ q ] as your own conviction before God. Happy is the one who ( AM ) does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But ( AN ) the one who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.
14 Accept the one whose faith is weak, ( A ) without quarreling over disputable matters. 2 One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. ( B ) 3 The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt ( C ) the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge ( D ) the one who does, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? ( E ) To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; ( F ) another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; ( G ) and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, ( H ) and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ( I ) 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life ( J ) so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. ( K )
10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister [ a ] ? Or why do you treat them with contempt? ( L ) For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ( M ) 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ ( N ) says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.’” [ b ] ( O )
12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. ( P )
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment ( Q ) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. ( R ) 14 I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. ( S ) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean. ( T ) 15 If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. ( U ) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died. ( V ) 16 Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil. ( W ) 17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, ( X ) but of righteousness, peace ( Y ) and joy in the Holy Spirit, ( Z ) 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. ( AA )
19 Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace ( AB ) and to mutual edification. ( AC ) 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. ( AD ) All food is clean, ( AE ) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. ( AF ) 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. ( AG )
22 So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn ( AH ) himself by what he approves. 23 But whoever has doubts ( AI ) is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. [ c ]
