⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life^(A) so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.^(B)

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister^[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt?^(C) For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.^{(D) 11} It is written:

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.^(G)

¹³ Therefore let us stop passing judgment^(H) on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.^{(I) 14} I am convinced, being fully persuaded in the Lord Jesus, that nothing is unclean in itself.^(J) But if anyone regards something as unclean, then for that person it is unclean.^{(K) 15} If your brother or sister is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love.^(L) Do not by your eating destroy someone for whom Christ died.^{(M) 16} Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.^{(N) 17} For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,^(O) but of righteousness, peace^(P) and joy in the Holy Spirit,^{(Q) 18} because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.^(R)

¹⁹ Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace^(S) and to mutual edification.^{(T) 20} Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food.^(U) All food is clean,^(V) but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble.^{(W) 21} It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.^(X)

²² So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn^(Y) himself by what he approves. ²³ But whoever has doubts^(Z) is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.^[c]