1 Corinthians 10

1 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;2 and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;3 and did all eat the same spiritual food;4 and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.5 Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.7 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.9 Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.11 Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?17 seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we are all partake of the one bread.18 Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?19 What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons.21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?23 All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.24 Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good.25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake,26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.27 If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake.28 But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake:29 conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.32 Give no occasions of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:33 even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10

Learning from Israel’s Failures

1 For I do not want you to be unaware,t brothers and sisters,t that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea,2 and all were baptizeds into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,3 and all ate the same spiritual food,4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they were all drinking from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.5 But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness.6 These things happened as examples for us, so that we will not crave evil things as they did.7 So do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.”ts8 And let us not be immoral, as some of them were, and twenty-three thousand died in a single day.s9 And let us not put Christss to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by snakes.s10 And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.ts11 These things happened to them as examples and were written for our instruction, on whom the ends of the ages have come.12 So let the one who thinks he is standing be careful that he does not fall.

13 No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others.t And God is faithful: Het will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear,t but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

Avoid Idol Feasts

14 So then, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.15 I am speaking to thoughtful people. Consider what I say.16 Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the bread that we break a sharing in the body of Christ?17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all share the one bread.18 Look at the people of Israel.t Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?19 Am I saying that idols or food sacrificed to them amount to anything?20 No, I mean that what the pagans sacrificet is to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot take part in the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

22 Or are we trying to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we really stronger than he is?t
23 “Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,”s but not everything builds others up.t24 Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person.25 Eat anything that is sold in the marketplace without questions of conscience,26 for the earth and its abundance are the Lord’s.s27 If an unbeliever invites you to dinner and you want to go, eat whatever is served without asking questions of conscience.28 But if someone says to you, “This is from a sacrifice,” do not eat, because of the one who told you and because of consciences –29 I do not mean yours but the other person’s. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience?30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I blamed for the foodt that I give thanks for?31 So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.32 Do not give offense to Jews or Greeks or to the church of God,33 just as I also try to please everyone in all things. I do not seek my own benefit, but the benefitt of many, so that they may be saved.