Here is what we should write to them. They must not eat food that has been made impure by being offered to statues of gods. They must not commit sexual sins. They must not eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And they must not drink blood.

只要写信，吩咐他们禁戒偶像的污秽和奸淫，并勒死的牲畜和血。

但是要写信吩咐他们禁戒偶像所玷污的东西、血和勒死的牲畜，禁戒淫乱。

但是要写信吩咐他们禁戒偶像所玷污的东西、血和勒死的牲畜，禁戒淫乱。

我们只须写信吩咐他们远避被偶像玷污之物，不可淫乱，不可吃血和勒死的牲畜。

只要写信叫他们禁戒偶像的污秽、淫乱，勒死的牲畜和血。

不过要写信给他们：要远避偶像的污秽，远避淫乱、勒死的动物和血。

只要寫信，吩咐他們禁戒偶像的污穢和姦淫，並勒死的牲畜和血。

但是要寫信吩咐他們禁戒偶像所玷污的東西、血和勒死的牲畜，禁戒淫亂。

但是要寫信吩咐他們禁戒偶像所玷污的東西、血和勒死的牲畜，禁戒淫亂。

我們只須寫信吩咐他們遠避被偶像玷污之物，不可淫亂，不可吃血和勒死的牲畜。

只要寫信叫他們禁戒偶像的污穢、淫亂，勒死的牲畜和血。

只要寫信、叫他們禁戒偶像的觸污和淫亂、跟禁喫勒死的動物和血。

不過要寫信給他們：要遠避偶像的汙穢，遠避淫亂、勒死的動物和血。

惟書諭之、戒偶像之污與淫、並勒死之牲及血、

遺書戒之曰、勿淫、祭偶之污、勒死之牲、若血、勿食、

惟當達書、命其戒偶像之污穢、及姦淫、又戒食勒死之牲及血、

第遺書戒之、勿犯姦淫、勿食祭餘之物、勒死之牲、與牲畜之血。

Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals and from blood.

but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood.

Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from eating food offered to idols, from sexual immorality, from eating the meat of strangled animals, and from consuming blood.

but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.

but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols, from acts of sexual immorality, from what has been strangled, and from blood.

but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood.

but instead we should write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from eating anything that has been strangled, and from blood.

But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and[ from] fornication, and[ from] things strangled, and[ from] blood.

but that we should write them a letter telling them to abstain from things defiled by idols and from sexual immorality and from what has been strangled and from blood.

but that we write to them that they abstain from the pollution of idols, from sexual immorality, from what is strangled, and from blood.

Don’t eat food that has been offered to statues of gods. Don’t drink blood. Don’t eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And don’t commit sexual sins. You will do well to keep away from these things. Farewell.

“‘ You must not eat any fat or any blood. That is a law that will last for all time to come. It applies no matter where you live.’ ”

‘ But I have a few things against you. Some of your people follow the teaching of Balaam. He taught Balak to lead the people of Israel into sin. So they ate food that had been offered to statues of gods. And they committed sexual sins.

‘ But here is what I have against you. You put up with that woman Jezebel. She calls herself a prophet. With her teaching, she has led my servants into sexual sin. She has tricked them into eating food offered to statues of gods.

“ But you must not eat meat that still has blood in it.

We have already given written directions to the believers who are not Jews. They must not eat food that has been offered to statues of gods. They must not drink blood. They must not eat the meat of animals that have been choked to death. And they must not commit sexual sins.”

So then, here is what I say about eating food sacrificed to statues of gods. We know that“ a god made by human hands is really nothing at all in the world.” We know that“ there is only one God.”There may be so- called gods either in heaven or on earth. In fact, there are many“ gods” and many“ lords.”But for us there is only one God. He is the Father. All things came from him, and we live for him. And there is only one Lord. He is Jesus Christ. All things came because of him, and we live because of him.But not everyone knows this. Some people still think that statues of gods are real gods. They might eat food sacrificed to statues of gods. When they do, they think of it as food sacrificed to real gods. And because those people have a weak sense of what is right and wrong, they feel guilty.But food doesn’t bring us close to God. We are no worse if we don’t eat. We are no better if we do eat.But be careful how you use your rights. Be sure you don’t cause someone weaker than you to fall into sin.Suppose you, with all your knowledge, are eating in a temple of one of those gods. And suppose someone who has a weak sense of what is right and wrong sees you. Won’t that person become bold and eat what is sacrificed to statues of gods?If so, then your knowledge destroys that weak brother or sister for whom Christ died.Suppose you sin against them in this way. Then you harm their weak sense of what is right and wrong. By doing this, you sin against Christ.So suppose what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin. Then what should I do? I will never eat meat again. In that way, I will not cause them to fall.

But you must not eat meat that still has blood in it. Pour the blood out on the ground like water.

There were people who were not killed by these plagues. But they still didn’t turn away from what they had been doing. They did not stop worshiping demons. They kept worshiping statues of gods made out of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood. These statues can’t see or hear or walk.

Then I said,“ No, Lord and King! I won’t do this! I’ve never eaten anything‘ unclean.’ From the time I was young until now, I’ve never eaten anything that was found dead. And I’ve never eaten anything torn apart by wild animals.‘ Unclean’ meat has never entered my mouth.”

“‘ Suppose someone eats meat that still has blood in it. It does not matter whether they are an Israelite or an outsider. I will turn against them if they eat it. I will separate them from their people.The life of each creature is in its blood. So I have given you the blood of animals to pay for your sin on the altar. Blood is life. That is why blood pays for your sin.So I say to the Israelites,“ You must not eat meat that still has blood in it. And an outsider who lives among you must not eat it either.”“‘ Suppose any of you hunts any animal or bird that can be eaten. It does not matter whether you are an Israelite or an outsider. You must let the blood flow out of the animal or bird. You must cover the blood with dirt.That is because every creature’s life is its blood. And that is why I have said to the Israelites,“ You must not eat any creature’s meat that still has blood in it. Every creature’s life is its blood. Anyone who eats that kind of meat must be separated from the community of Israel.”

Now I want to deal with food sacrificed to statues of gods. We know that“ We all have knowledge.” But knowledge makes people proud, while love builds them up.

“ Be careful not to make a peace treaty with the people living in the land. They commit sin by offering sacrifices to their gods. They will invite you to eat their sacrifices, and you will do it.You will choose some of their daughters as wives for your sons. And those daughters will commit sin by worshiping their gods. Then they will lead your sons to do the same thing.

But you must not eat meat that still has blood in it. Pour the blood out on the ground like water.

So don’t worship statues of gods, as some of them did. It is written,“ The people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to dance wildly in front of their god.”( Exodus 32:6)We should not commit sexual sins, as some of them did. In one day 23,000 of them died.

You have spent enough time in the past doing what ungodly people choose to do. You lived a wild life. You longed for evil things. You got drunk. You went to wild parties. You worshiped statues of gods, which the Lord hates.

Keep far away from sexual sins. All the other sins a person commits are outside the body. But sexual sins are sins against their own body.

Don’t you know that people who do wrong will not receive God’s kingdom? Don’t be fooled. Those who commit sexual sins will not receive the kingdom. Neither will those who worship statues of gods or commit adultery. Neither will men who sleep with other men.

So tell them,‘ The Lord and King says,“ You eat meat that still has blood in it. You worship your statues of gods. You commit murder. So should you still possess the land?

They sacrificed their sons and daughters as offerings to false gods.They killed those who weren’t guilty of doing anything wrong. They killed their own sons and daughters. They sacrificed them as offerings to statues of the gods of Canaan. The land became“ unclean” because of the blood of their children.The people made themselves impure by what they had done. They weren’t faithful to the Lord.

The women invited the men to feasts and sacrifices to honor their gods. The people ate the sacrifices and bowed down in front of the statues of those gods.

So put to death anything that comes from sinful desires. Get rid of sexual sins and impure acts. Don’t let your feelings get out of control. Remove from your life all evil desires. Stop always wanting more and more. You might as well be worshiping statues of gods.

Do not put any other gods in place of me. Do not make silver or gold statues of them for yourselves.

They grabbed what they had taken from their enemies. They killed some of the sheep, cattle and calves right there on the ground. They ate the meat while the blood was still in it.

I’m afraid that when I come again my God will put me to shame in front of you. Then I will be sad about many who sinned earlier and have not turned away from it. They have not turned away from uncleanness, sexual sins and wild living. They have done all those things.

So Jacob spoke to his family and to everyone with him. He said,“ Get rid of the statues of false gods you have with you. Make yourselves pure by washing and changing your clothes.

But here is what I am writing to you now. You must stay away from anyone who claims to be a believer but does evil things. Stay away from anyone who commits sexual sins. Stay away from anyone who always wants more and more things. Stay away from anyone who worships statues of gods. Stay away from anyone who tells lies about others. Stay away from anyone who gets drunk or who cheats. Don’t even eat with people like these.

See to it that no one commits sexual sins. See to it that no one is godless like Esau. He sold the rights to what he would receive as the oldest son. He sold them for a single meal.

“ Speak to the Israelites. Tell them,‘ Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats.Do not eat the fat of any animal found dead. Do not eat the fat of an animal that wild animals have torn apart. But you can use the fat for any other purpose.Suppose an animal has been sacrificed as a food offering to the Lord. No one may eat its fat. If they do, they will be separated from their people.No matter where you live, do not eat the blood of any bird or animal.Anyone who eats blood must be separated from their people.’ ”

My dear friends, run away from statues of gods. Don’t worship them.I’m talking to people who are reasonable. Judge for yourselves what I say.We give thanks for the cup at the Lord’s Supper. When we do, aren’t we sharing in the blood of Christ? When we break the bread, aren’t we sharing in the body of Christ?Just as there is one loaf, so we who are many are one body. We all share the one loaf.Think about the people of Israel. Don’t those who eat the offerings share in the altar?Do I mean that food sacrificed to a statue of a god is anything? Do I mean that a statue of a god is anything?No! But what is sacrificed by those who worship statues of gods is really sacrificed to demons. It is not sacrificed to God. I don’t want you to be sharing with demons.You can’t drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too. You can’t have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.Are we trying to make the Lord jealous? Are we stronger than he is?You say,“ I have the right to do anything.” But not everything is helpful. Again you say,“ I have the right to do anything.” But not everything builds us up.No one should look out for their own interests. Instead, they should look out for the interests of others.Eat anything sold in the meat market. Don’t ask if it’s right or wrong.Scripture says,“ The earth belongs to the Lord. And so does everything in it.”( Psalm 24:1)Suppose an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go. Then eat anything that is put in front of you. Don’t ask if it’s right or wrong.But suppose someone says to you,“ This food has been sacrificed to a statue of a god.” Then don’t eat it. Keep in mind the good of the person who told you. And don’t eat because of a sense of what is right and wrong.

All of you should honor marriage. You should keep the marriage bed pure. God will judge the person who commits adultery. He will judge everyone who commits sexual sins.

Everything God created is good. You shouldn’t turn anything down. Instead, you should thank God for it.The word of God and prayer make it holy.

But be sure you don’t eat meat that still has blood in it. The blood is the animal’s life. So you must not eat the life along with the meat.You must not eat the blood. Pour it out on the ground like water.Don’t eat it. Then things will go well with you and your children after you. You will be doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord.

God wants you to be made holy. He wants you to stay away from sexual sins.

The Lord said to me,“ Speak to the Israelites. Tell them,‘ Here is what the Lord and King says.“ Are you going to make yourselves‘ unclean’ the way your people of long ago did? Are you also going to want to worship the statues of their evil gods?You make yourselves‘ unclean’ by offering sacrifices to other gods. You even sacrifice your children in the fire. You continue to do these things to this day. People of Israel, should I let you ask me for advice? I will not let you do that,” announces the Lord and King.“ And that is just as sure as I am alive.

There should not be even a hint of sexual sin among you. Don’t do anything impure. And do not always want more and more. These are not the things God’s holy people should do.

He was holding a little scroll. It was lying open in his hand. The angel put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land.

Some of you say,“ Food is for the stomach, and the stomach is for food. And God will destroy both of them.” But the body is not meant for sexual sins. The body is meant for the Lord. And the Lord is meant for the body.

But since sexual sin is happening, each man should sleep with his own wife. And each woman should sleep with her own husband.

The result of sin’s control in our lives is clear. It includes sexual sins, impure acts and wild living.

Daniel decided not to make himself“ unclean” by eating the king’s food and drinking his wine. So he asked the chief official for a favor. He wanted permission not to make himself“ unclean” with the king’s food and wine.

If you find something that’s already dead, don’t eat it. You can give it to an outsider living in any of your towns. They may eat it. Or you can sell it to someone from another country. But you are a holy nation. The Lord your God has set you apart for himself. Don’t cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.

“ Do not put any other gods in place of me.“ Do not make for yourself statues of gods that look like anything in the sky. They may not look like anything on the earth or in the waters either.Do not bow down to them or worship them. I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God. I cause the sins of the parents to affect their children. I will cause the sins of those who hate me to affect even their grandchildren and great- grandchildren.

Then the voice I had heard from heaven spoke to me again. It said,“ The angel is standing on the sea and on the land. Go and take the scroll from him. It is lying open in his hand.”