Do Not Judge Another

1Welcome those who are weak in faith,14.1 Or conviction but not for the purpose of quarrelling over opinions. 2Some believe in eating anything, while the weak eat only vegetables. 3Those who eat must not despise those who abstain, and those who abstain must not pass judgement on those who eat; for God has welcomed them. 4Who are you to pass judgement on servants of another? It is before their own lord that they stand or fall. And they will be upheld, for the Lord14.4 Other ancient authorities read for God is able to make them stand.

5Some judge one day to be better than another, while others judge all days to be alike. Let all be fully convinced in their own minds. 6Those who observe the day, observe it in honour of the Lord. Also those who eat, eat in honour of the Lord, since they give thanks to God; while those who abstain, abstain in honour of the Lord and give thanks to God.

7We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. 8If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's. 9For to this end Christ died and lived again, so that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10Why do you pass judgement on your brother or sister?14.10 Gk brother Or you, why do you despise your brother or sister?14.10 Gk brother For we will all stand before the judgement seat of God.14.10 Other ancient authorities read of Christ 11For it is written,

‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me,

and every tongue shall give praise to14.11 Or confess God.’

12So then, each of us will be accountable to God.14.12 Other ancient authorities lack to God

Do Not Make Another Stumble

13Let us therefore no longer pass judgement on one another, but resolve instead never to put a stumbling-block or hindrance in the way of another.14.13 Gk of a brother 14I know and am persuaded in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but it is unclean for anyone who thinks it unclean. 15If your brother or sister14.15 Gk brother is being injured by what you eat, you are no longer walking in love. Do not let what you eat cause the ruin of one for whom Christ died. 16So do not let your good be spoken of as evil. 17For the kingdom of God is not food and drink but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18The one who thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and has human approval. 19Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual edification. 20Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for you to make others fall by what you eat; 21it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister14.21 Gk brother stumble.14.21 Other ancient authorities add or be upset or be weakened 22The faith that you have, have as your own conviction before God. Blessed are those who have no reason to condemn themselves because of what they approve. 23But those who have doubts are condemned if they eat, because they do not act from faith;14.23 Or conviction for whatever does not proceed from faith14.23 Or conviction is sin.14.23 Other authorities, some ancient, add here 16.25–27