Romans 14

The Weak and the Strong

1 Listen, welcome people whose faith is not strong without tripping over their doubts and questions.

2 Some folks believe they can eat anything, while the weak ones stick to veggies.

3 If you eat everything, do not diss the one who will not. And if you do not eat certain stuff, do not judge the one who does, because God accepted them.

4 Who you think you are judging someone else’s servant, They answer to their own master. And they will stand, because God has got the power to make sure they do.

5 One person thinks certain days are special, while another thinks all days are the same. Each person should be fully convinced in their own mind.

6 Whoever respects a special day does it for the Lord. Whoever eats meat does it for the Lord, giving thanks to God. And whoever do not eat does it for the Lord, giving thanks too.

7 None of us live for ourselves, and none of us die for ourselves either.

8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

9 Christ died and rose again for this very reason, to be Lord of both the dead and the living.

10 So, why are you judging your brother or sister, Why are you looking down on them, We are all are going to stand before God’s judgment seat.

11 It is written: “As surely as I live, every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.”

12 So, each of us is going to have to give an account of ourselves to God.

13 Let us stop judging each other. Instead, decide not to put any stumbling block or trap in front of your brother or sister.

14 I know, and I am convinced by the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself. But if someone thinks it is unclean, then for them, it is unclean.

15 If your brother or sister is hurt because of what you eat, you are not walking in love. Do not wreck someone for whom Christ died over some food!

16 Do not let what you know is good be talked about as evil.

17 God’s kingdom is not about food and drink but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 Whoever serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and gets respect from others.

19 So let us do what leads to peace and helps each other grow.

20 Do not destroy God’s work over food. All food is clean, but it is wrong to eat anything if it makes someone else trip.

21 It is better not to eat meat, drink wine, or do anything that will cause your brother or sister to stumble.

22 Keep your faith between you and God. Blessed is the one who are not tripping over what they approve.

23 But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because they are not acting out of faith. And everything that does not come from faith is sin.