Romans 14:16,19-21 - Compare All Versions
Romans 14:16 NIV (New International Version)
Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.
Romans 14:19-21 NIV (New International Version)
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a person to eat anything that causes someone else to stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.
Romans 14:16 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil.
Romans 14:19-21 ESV (English Standard Version 2025)
So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.
Romans 14:16 NLT (New Living Translation)
Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.
Romans 14:19-21 NLT (New Living Translation)
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble.
Romans 14:16 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
Therefore, do not let your good be slandered
Romans 14:19-21 CSB (Christian Standard Bible)
So then, let us pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong to make someone fall by what he eats. It is a good thing not to eat meat, or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.
Romans 14:19-21 KJV (King James Version)
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Romans 14:16 NKJV (New King James Version)
Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil
Romans 14:19-21 NKJV (New King James Version)
Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.
Romans 14:15-16 MSG (The Message)
If you confuse others by making a big issue over what they eat or don’t eat, you’re no longer a companion with them in love, are you? These, remember, are persons for whom Christ died. Would you risk sending them to hell over an item in their diet? Don’t you dare let a piece of God-blessed food become an occasion of soul-poisoning!
Romans 14:19-21-19-21 MSG (The Message)
So let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. You’re certainly not going to permit an argument over what is served or not served at supper to wreck God’s work among you, are you? I said it before and I’ll say it again: All food is good, but it can turn bad if you use it badly, if you use it to trip others up and send them sprawling. When you sit down to a meal, your primary concern should not be to feed your own face but to share the life of Jesus. So be sensitive and courteous to the others who are eating. Don’t eat or say or do things that might interfere with the free exchange of love.
Romans 14:16 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
Therefore do not let what is for you a good thing be spoken of as evil
Romans 14:19-21 NASB2020 (New American Standard Bible - NASB)
So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Do not tear down the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are clean, but they are evil for the person who eats and causes offense. It is good not to eat meat or to drink wine, or to do anything by which your brother or sister stumbles.
Romans 14:16 AMP (Amplified Bible)
Therefore do not let what is a good thing for you [because of your freedom to choose] be spoken of as evil [by someone else]
Romans 14:19-21 AMP (Amplified Bible)
So then, let us pursue [with enthusiasm] the things which make for peace and the building up of one another [things which lead to spiritual growth]. Do not, for the sake of food, tear down the work of God. All things indeed are [ceremonially] clean, but they are wrong for the person who eats and offends [another’s conscience in the process]. It is good to [do the right thing and] not eat meat or drink wine, or do anything that offends your brother and weakens him spiritually.
Romans 14:16 NET (New English Translation)
Therefore do not let what you consider good be spoken of as evil.
Romans 14:19-21 NET (New English Translation)
So then, let us pursue what makes for peace and for building up one another. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. For although all things are clean, it is wrong to cause anyone to stumble by what you eat. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything that causes your brother to stumble.