kjv 1Corinthians:8-9 SEEK
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Now as touching things offered unto idols ,
we know that we all have knowledge .
Knowledge puffeth up ,
but charity edifieth .
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And if any man think that he knoweth any thing ,
he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know .
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But if any man love God ,
the same is known of him .
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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 .
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For though there be that are called gods ,
whether in heaven or in earth , (
as there be gods many ,
and lords many ,)
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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 .
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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 .
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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 .
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But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak .
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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 ;
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And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish ,
for whom Christ died ?
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But when ye sin so against the brethren ,
and wound their weak conscience ,
ye sin against Christ .
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Wherefore ,
if meat make my brother to offend ,
I will eat no flesh while the world standeth ,
lest I make my brother to offend .
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Am I not an apostle ?
am I not free ?
have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord ?
are not ye my work in the Lord ?
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If I be not an apostle unto others ,
yet doubtless I am to you :
for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord .
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Mine answer to them that do examine me is this ,
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Have we not power to eat and to drink ?
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Have we not power to lead about a sister ,
a wife ,
as well as other apostles ,
and as the brethren of the Lord ,
and Cephas ?
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Or I only and Barnabas ,
have not we power to forbear working ?
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Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges ?
who planteth a vineyard ,
and eateth not of the fruit thereof ?
or who feedeth a flock ,
and eateth not of the milk of the flock ?
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Say I these things as a man ?
or saith not the law the same also ?
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For it is written in the law of Moses ,
Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn .
Doth God take care for oxen ?
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Or saith he it altogether for our sakes ?
For our sakes ,
no doubt ,
this is written :
that he that ploweth should plow in hope ;
and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope .
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If we have sown unto you spiritual things ,
is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things ?
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If others be partakers of this power over you ,
are not we rather ?
Nevertheless we have not used this power ;
but suffer all things ,
lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ .
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Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple ?
and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar ?
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Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel .
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But I have used none of these things :
neither have I written these things ,
that it should be so done unto me :
for it were better for me to die ,
than that any man should make my glorying void .
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For though I preach the gospel ,
I have nothing to glory of :
for necessity is laid upon me ;
yea ,
woe is unto me ,
if I preach not the gospel !
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For if I do this thing willingly ,
I have a reward :
but if against my will ,
a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me .
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What is my reward then ?
Verily that ,
when I preach the gospel ,
I may make the gospel of Christ without charge ,
that I abuse not my power in the gospel .
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For though I be free from all men ,
yet have I made myself servant unto all ,
that I might gain the more .
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And unto the Jews I became as a Jew ,
that I might gain the Jews ;
to them that are under the law ,
as under the law ,
that I might gain them that are under the law ;
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To them that are without law ,
as without law , (
being not without law to God ,
but under the law to Christ ,)
that I might gain them that are without law .
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To the weak became I as weak ,
that I might gain the weak :
I am made all things to all men ,
that I might by all means save some .
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And this I do for the gospel '
s sake ,
that I might be partaker thereof with you .
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Know ye not that they which run in a race run all ,
but one receiveth the prize ?
So run ,
that ye may obtain .
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And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things .
Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown ;
but we an incorruptible .
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I therefore so run ,
not as uncertainly ;
so fight I ,
not as one that beateth the air :
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But I keep under my body ,
and bring it into subjection :
lest that by any means ,
when I have preached to others ,
I myself should be a castaway .
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Moreover ,
brethren ,
I would not that ye should be ignorant ,
how that all our fathers were under the cloud ,
and all passed through the sea ;