"And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus, but almost throughout all of Asia, this fellow Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, by telling them that they are no gods at all who are made with hands.

Now as to eating food that has been offered to idols, we know well that an idol has no real existence in the universe, and that there is no God but One.

No, God has chosen the world's folly to confound its philosophy; and the world's weakness to confound its strength.

But once, when you Gentiles had no knowledge of God, you were slaves to gods which have no real being.

For though there be so-called "gods," celestial of terrestrial, as indeed there are gods many and lords many,

But those in authority??hat they once were makes no difference to me; God is no respecter of persons??hose I say who were in authority had no additions to make my message.

"If those to whom the word of God came are called gods (and the Scripture cannot be annulled),

Look carefully that there be no one who falls back from the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springs up to trouble you, and by its means many become defiled.