⁹ But didn’t you drive out the priests^(A) of the Lord,^(B) the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, and make priests of your own as the peoples of other lands do? Whoever comes to consecrate himself with a young bull^(C) and seven rams^(D) may become a priest of what are not gods.^(E)

¹⁹ They have thrown their gods into the fire^(A) and destroyed them,^(B) for they were not gods^(C) but only wood and stone, fashioned by human hands.^(D)

⁴ So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:^(A) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”^(B) and that “There is no God but one.”^{(C) 5} For even if there are so-called gods,^(D) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶ yet for us there is but one God,^(E) the Father,^(F) from whom all things came^(G) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,^(H) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came^(I) and through whom we live.

⁷ But not everyone possesses this knowledge.^(J) Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak,^(K) it is defiled. ⁸ But food does not bring us near to God;^(L) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

⁹ Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block^(M) to the weak.^{(N) 10} For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?^{(O) 11} So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed^(P) by your knowledge. ¹² When you sin against them^(Q) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.^{(R) 13} Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.^(S)

²⁰ No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,^(A) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.