1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him. 4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. 7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
8–BOB
Butga keltirilgan qurbonlik goʻshti masalasi
1 Butga keltirilgan qurbonlik goʻshti masalasiga kelsak. Oʻzingiz aytganingizdek, hammamiz bu haqdagi haqiqatni bilamiz. Ammo bilim odamni shishintiradi, mehr–muhabbatli inson esa oʻzgalarning manfaatini koʻzda tutadi. 2 Agar bir kishi bilimliman deb oʻylasa, u hali zarur boʻlgan bilimga erishmagan. 3 Kim Xudoni yaxshi koʻrsa, Xudo uni tanib–biladi.
4 Endi butga keltirilgan qurbonlik goʻshtini yeyish masalasiga kelsak, biz shuni bilamizki, dunyoda but hech narsa emas, birgina Xudodan boshqa Xudo yoʻq. 5 Garchi yeru koʻkda xudo deb atalgan narsalar koʻp boʻlsa–da (haqiqatan, bunaqa “xudolar” va “rabbiylar” juda koʻp), 6 biz uchun birgina Otamiz Xudo bor. U butun mavjudotning Yaratuvchisidir va biz U uchun yashaymiz. Shuningdek, birgina Rabbimiz Iso Masih bor. Butun mavjudot Masih orqali vujudga kelgan va biz U orqali yashaymiz. 7 Ammo hamma ham bularni bilmaydi. Orangizda baʼzilar “butlar bor” degan fikrga shunchalik oʻrganib qolganki, butlarga keltirilgan qurbonlik goʻshtini yeganda ularning vijdoni qiynaladi, chunki ular bunday goʻsht yeyishni hali ham butlarga sajda qilish deb biladi. 8 Oziq–ovqat bizni Xudoga yaqinlashtira olmaydi. Axir, yemasak ham biror narsa yoʻqotmaymiz, yesak ham biror foyda koʻrmaymiz.
9 Faqat ehtiyot boʻling, sizlarning bu erkinligingiz zaiflarning vasvasaga tushishiga sabab boʻlmasin. 10 Masalan, sen bilimli odam, butxonada taom yeb oʻtiribsan, deylik. Bu masalada ikkilanib turgan birodaring seni koʻrib qoladi. Bundan keyin u butga keltirilgan qurbonlik goʻshtidan yeyishga moyil boʻlmaydimi?! 11 Oʻsha zaif birodaring uchun Masih oʻlgan, sen esa uni oʻz biliming tufayli halokatga yoʻliqtirasan. 12 Shunday qilib, ikkilanib turgan birodaringni vasvasaga solib, unga qarshi gunoh qilsang, Masihga qarshi gunoh qilgan boʻlasan. 13 Agar biror ovqatni yeyishim birodarimning gunoh qilishiga sabab boʻlsa, uni vasvasaga solmaslik uchun endi men umrbod oʻsha ovqatni yemayman.
