Romans 14

 

1 The one who is weak in the faith, you (ought to) receive (into fellowship), but not so that you can pass judgment (on them).

 

2 For one believes that he may eat all things: (and) another, who is weak (in their conscience), eats (only) herbs.

 

3 Let not him that eats (all things) despise him that does not eat (but only herbs); and do not let him which eats judge him that does not eat: for God has received them (both).

 

4 Who are you that judges another man's servant? To his own master, he stands or falls. Yes, (in his master) he shall be held up (and established): for God is able to make him stand.

 

5 One man esteems one day above another: another esteems every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own (heart and) mind.

 

6 He that regards the day, regards it to the Lord; and he that does not regard the day, to the Lord, he does not regard it. He that eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he that does not eat, unto the Lord he does not eat, and (also) gives thanks to God.

 

7 For none of us (who believe) lives to himself, and no man dies to himself.

 

8 For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord: therefore, whether we live, or die, we (can be certain we) are the Lord's.

 

9 For to this end Christ both died (and purchased us with His own blood), and rose, and revived, so that He might be (judge) of both the dead and living.

 

10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you despise (and look down upon) your brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ (who has judged all things).

 

11 For it is written, (I am God and there is no other and) as I live, said the Lord (I swear by Myself), (that) every knee (that would exalt itself above the wisdom of God) shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess (acknowledging that Jesus Christ is Lord) to (the glory of) God (the Father).

 

12 So then each one of us shall give account of himself (his heart being laid bare) to God (concerning the word that dwells in it, whether it be good, where they find comfort and rest in the testimony of Him, or evil, filled with their own labors, where they are only looking for fiery judgment and indignation).

 

13 Let us therefore not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this, that no man put a stumbling block or an occasion to fall (into self-condemnation) in his brother's way.

 

14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean in (and of) itself: but to anyone that esteems something to be unclean, to him (in his heart) it is unclean.

 

15 So if your brother is grieved with your eating of meat, then you are not walking in love. Do not destroy (the faith of) him with your (eating of) meat, for whom Christ died.

 

16 Do not let your good (conscience) be spoken evil of:

 

17 For the kingdom of God is not (found in whether you eat) meat (or do not eat meat) and (also not in whether you) drink (or do not drink); but (in being fully persuaded of His) righteousness, and peace, and joy (toward you, being convinced) by the Holy Ghost.

 

18 For he that (sees the kingdom of God is about His righteousness, peace, and joy toward him) in these things (the one who) serves Christ (this way) is acceptable (and well-pleasing) to God (tried) and approved (bearing the true testimony of God which can stand up to the scrutiny) of men.

 

19 Let us therefore follow after these things which make for peace (and unity of the faith of the Lord Jesus), and things with which we might edify one another (so that our hearts would be established in the grace and strength of Him).

 

20 For meat does not (and cannot) destroy the work of God (to serve you with His life). All things are indeed pure, but it is evil for the man who (by eating condemns his own heart and) eats (from a conscience filled) with offense.

 

21 It is not good to eat meat, or to drink wine, or to do anything whereby (it causes) your brother to stumble (at the truth), or be offended, or be made weak (in his conscience).

 

22 Do you have faith (that all things are pure and there is nothing unclean)? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he that does not condemn himself in the thing which he allows.

 

23 And he who doubts (that something is clean, condemns his own heart and) is damned if he eats, because he does not eat from (the) persuasion (in his heart): for whatever is not of faith (defiles the conscience, and brings self-condemnation) is sin.