Chapter 8

  Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth.  

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  If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know;  

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  but if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.  

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  Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is [anything] in the world, and that there is no God but one.  

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  For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many;  

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  yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him.  

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  Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as [of] a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.  

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  But food will not commend us to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.  

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  But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak.  

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  For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols?  

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  For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Christ died.  

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  And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ.  

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  Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.  

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