⁷ But not all people know this. Some people are still so used to idols that when they eat meat, they still think of it as being sacrificed to an idol. Because their conscience is weak, when they eat it, ·they feel guilty [^Ltheir conscience is defiled]. ⁸ But food will not ·bring us closer [make us acceptable] to God. Refusing to eat does not make us ·less pleasing to God [any worse; ^Llacking], and eating does not make us ·better in God’s sight [any better; ^Labounding].

⁹ But be careful that ·your freedom [this right/authority of yours] does not ·cause those who are weak in faith to fall into sin [^Lbecome a stumbling block to the weak]. ¹⁰ Suppose one of you who has knowledge eats in an idol’s temple. Someone who ·is weak in faith [or has a weak conscience] might see you eating there and be ·encouraged [enboldened] to eat meat sacrificed to idols ·while thinking it is wrong to do so [or as a result of his weak conscience]. ¹¹ This weak ·believer [^Lbrother] for whom Christ died is ·ruined [destroyed] because of your “knowledge.” ¹² When you sin against your brothers and sisters in Christ like this and ·cause them to do what they feel is wrong [^Lwound their weak conscience], you are also sinning against Christ. ¹³ So if the food I eat causes them to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again so that I will not cause any of them to ·sin [stumble; fall into sin].