1 Corinthians 10

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and they all went across the sea.2 And in Moses, they all were baptized, in the cloud and in the sea.3 And they all ate of the same spiritual food.4 And they all drank of the same spiritual drink. And so, they all were drinking of the spiritual rock seeking to obtain them; and that rock was Christ.5 But with most of them, God was not well-pleased. For they were struck down in the desert.6 Now these things were done as an example for us, so that we might not desire evil things, just as they desired.7 And so, do not take part in idolatry, as some of them did, just as it was written: “The people sat down to eat and to drink, and then they rose up to amuse themselves.”8 And let us not commit fornication, as some of them fornicated, and so twenty-three thousand fell on one day.9 And let us not tempt Christ, as some of them tempted, and so they perished by serpents.10 And you should not murmur, as some of them murmured, and so they perished by the destroyer.11 Now all of these things happened to them as an example, and so they have been written for our correction, because the final age has fallen upon us.12 And so, whosoever considers himself to be standing, let him be careful not to fall.13 Temptation should not take hold of you, except what is human. For God is faithful, and he will not permit you to be tempted beyond your ability. Instead, he will effect his Providence, even during temptation, so that you may be able to bear it.14 Because of this, most beloved of mine, flee from the worship of idols.15 Since I am speaking to those who are prudent, judge what I say for yourselves.16 The cup of benediction that we bless, is it not a communion in the Blood of Christ? And the bread that we break, is it not a participation in the Body of the Lord?17 Through the one bread, we, though many, are one body: all of us who are partakers of the one bread.18 Consider Israel, according to the flesh. Are not those who eat from the sacrifices partakers of the altar?19 What is next? Should I say that what is immolated to idols is anything? Or that the idol is anything?20 But the things that the Gentiles immolate, they immolate to demons, and not to God. And I do not want you to become partakers with demons.21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons. You cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and partakers of the table of demons.22 Or should we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he is? All is lawful to me, but not all is expedient.23 All is lawful to me, but not all is edifying.24 Let no one seek for himself, but for others.25 Whatever is sold in the market, you may eat, without asking questions for the sake of conscience.26 “The earth and all its fullness belong to the Lord.”27 If you are invited by any unbelievers, and you are willing to go, you may eat whatever is set before you, without asking questions for the sake of conscience.28 But if anyone says, “This has been sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience.29 But I am referring to the conscience of the other person, not to yours. For why should my liberty be judged by the conscience of another?30 If I partake with thanksgiving, why should I be slandered over that for which I give thanks?31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever else you may do, do everything for the glory of God.32 Be without offense toward the Jews, and toward the Gentiles, and toward the Church of God,33 just as I also, in all things, please everyone, not seeking what is best for myself, but what is best for many others, so 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.