O hrani žrtvovanoj idolima
1Što se tiče mesa žrtvovanog idolima, o tomu svi posjedujemo znanje. Ali znanje čovjeka čini umišljenim, a ljubav izgrađuje. 2Misli li tko da mnogo zna, taj ne zna kako treba znati. 3A Bog poznaje čovjeka koji ga uistinu ljubi.
4Smijemo li, dakle, jesti meso žrtvovano idolima? Svi znamo da idol zapravo nije Bog i da postoji samo jedan Bog. 5Neki vjeruju da ima mnogo bogova na nebu i na zemlji—jer zaista ima mnogo takozvanih bogova i gospodara. 6Ali mi znamo da postoji samo jedan Bog Otac koji je sve stvorio i za kojega postojimo. I jedan je Isus Krist po kojemu je sve stvoreno i po kojemu imamo život.
7Ali to ne znaju svi. Neki ljudi toliko su naviknuti na idole da jedući žrtvovano meso o njemu razmišljaju kao o mesu žrtvovanom pravim bogovima te tako kaljaju svoju slabu savjest. 8Zapamtite da jelom nećemo steći Božju naklonost. Niti što gubimo ako takvo meso ne jedemo, niti što dobivamo jedemo li ga. 9Ali pazite da zbog te vaše slobode ne posrne slabiji brat ili sestra.
10Jer tko smatra da je grijeh jesti tu hranu, može te vidjeti kako jedeš u idolskome hramu. Ti znaš da u tome nema ničega lošega, ali on će jedući meso žrtvovano idolima naučiti da kalja svoju savjest čineći ono što smatra grijehom. 11Tako zbog tvojega znanja može propasti nejaki kršćanin8:11 U grčkome: brat. za kojega je Krist umro. 12Griješeći tako protiv braće i ranjavajući njihovu nejaku savjest, griješite protiv Krista. 13Ako će moje jelo navesti na grijeh mojeg brata, neću više jesti mesa dok živim da moj brat zbog mene ne posrne.
1Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
