Romans 14:1–13

The Law of Liberty

14 Accept y anyone who is weak in faith, z a but don’t argue about doubtful issues. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, b but one who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 One who eats must not look down on one who does not eat, c and one who does not eat must not criticize one who does, d because God has accepted him. e 4 Who are you to criticize f another’s household slave? Before his own Lord he stands or falls. And he will stand. For the Lord is able g to make him stand.

5 One person considers one day to be above another day. h Someone else considers every day to be the same. Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind. i 6 Whoever observes the day, observes it for the honor of the Lord. j Whoever eats, eats for the Lord, since he gives thanks to God; k and whoever does not eat, it is for the Lord that he does not eat it, yet he thanks God. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. l 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. m 9 Christ died and came to life n for this: that He might rule over both the dead and the living. o 10 But you, why do you criticize your brother? Or you, why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before the tribunal of God. p q 11 For it is written:

As I live, says the Lord,

every knee will bow to Me, r

and every tongue will give praise to God. s t

12 So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God. u

The Law of Love

13 Therefore, let us no longer criticize one another. v Instead decide never to put a stumbling block or pitfall in your brother’s way. w