Romans 14

Exhortation to Mutual Forbearance

1 Now receive the one who is weak in the faith, and do not have disputes over differing opinions.t2 One person believes in eating everything, but the weak person eats only vegetables.3 The one who eats everything must not despise the one who does not, and the one who abstains must not judge the one who eats everything, for God has accepted him.

4 Who are you to pass judgment on another’s servant? Before his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lords is able to make him stand.
5 One person regards one day holier than other days, and another regards them all alike.t Each must be fully convinced in his own mind.6 The one who observes the day does it for the Lord. Thet one who eats, eats for the Lord because he gives thanks to God, and the one who abstains from eating abstains for the Lord, and he gives thanks to God.7 For none of us lives for himself and none dies for himself.8 If we live, we live for the Lord; if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.

9 For this reason Christ died and returned to life, so that he may be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
10 But you who eat vegetables only – why do you judge your brother or sister?t And you who eat everything – why do you despise your brother or sister?t For we will all stand before the judgment seats of God.11 For it is written, “As I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow to me, and every tongue will give praise to God.”s

12 Therefore, each of us will give an account of himself to God.st

Exhortation for the Strong not to Destroy the Weak

13 Therefore we must not pass judgment on one another, but rather determine never to place an obstacle or a trap before a brother or sister.t14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean in itself; still, it is unclean to the one who considers it unclean.15 For if your brother or sistert is distressed because of what you eat,t you are no longer walking in love.t Do not destroy by your food someone for whom Christ died.16 Therefore do not let what you consider goodt be spoken of as evil.17 For the kingdom of God does not consist of food and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For the one who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by people.t
19 So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another.20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. For although all things are clean,s it is wrong to cause anyone to stumble by what you eat.21 It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything that causes your brother to stumble.s22 The faiths you have, keep to yourself before God. Blessed is the one who does not judge himself by what he approves.

23 But the man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not do so from faith, and whatever is not from faith is sin.ss

ROMANS 14

Don't Criticize Others

1  t Welcome all the Lord's followers, even those whose faith is weak. Don't criticize them for having beliefs that are different from yours. 2 Some think it is all right to eat anything, while those whose faith is weak will eat only vegetables. 3 But you should not criticize others for eating or for not eating. After all, God welcomes everyone.

4 What right do you have to criticize someone else's servants? Only their Lord can decide if they are doing right, and the Lord will make sure that they do right.
5 Some of the Lord's followers think one day is more important than another. Others think all days are the same. But each of you should make up your own mind.

6 Any followers who count one day more important than another day do it to honor their Lord. And any followers who eat meat give thanks to God, just like the ones who don't eat meat.
7 Whether we live or die, it must be for God, rather than for ourselves. 8 Whether we live or die, it must be for the Lord. Alive or dead, we still belong to the Lord. 9 This is because Christ died and rose to life, so that he would be the Lord of the dead and of the living. 10 t Why do you criticize other followers of the Lord? Why do you look down on them? The day is coming when God will judge all of us.

11 t In the Scriptures God says,
“I swear by my very life
that everyone will kneel down
and praise my name!”

12 And so, each of us must give an account to God for what we do.

Don't Cause Problems //for Others

14 The Lord Jesus has made it clear to me that God considers all foods fit to eat. But if you think some foods are unfit to eat, then for you they are not fit.
15 If you are hurting others by the foods you eat, you are not guided by love. Don't let your appetite destroy someone Christ died for. 16 Don't let your right to eat bring shame to Christ. 17 God's kingdom isn't about eating and drinking. It is about pleasing God, about living in peace, and about true happiness. All this comes from the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ in this way, you will please God and be respected by people.

19 We should tryt to live at peace and help each other have a strong faith.
20 Don't let your appetite destroy what God has done. All foods are fit to eat, but it is wrong to cause problems for others by what you eat. 21 It is best not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else that causes problems for other followers of the Lord. 22 What you believe about these things should be kept between you and God. You are fortunate, if your actions don't make you have doubts. 23 But if you do have doubts about what you eat, you are going against your beliefs. And you know that is wrong, because anything you do against your beliefs is sin.