1 Corinthians 10

1 FOR I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea.2 And all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud, and in the sea:3 And did all eat the same spiritual food,4 And all drank the same spiritual drink; (and they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.)5 But with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the desert.6 Now these things were done in a figure of us, that we should not covet evil things as they also coveted.7 Neither become ye idolaters, as 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 fornication, and there fell in one day three and twenty thousand.9 Neither let us tempt Christ: as some of them tempted, and perished by the serpents.10 Neither do you murmur: as some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.11 Now all these things happened to them in figure: and they are written for our correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come.12 Wherefore he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall.13 Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from the service of idols.15 I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I say.16 The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord ?17 For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread.18 Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar ?19 What then ? Do I say, that what is offered in sacrifice to idols, is any thing ? Or, that the idol is any thing ?20 But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils.21 You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils.22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy ? Are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.23 All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify.24 Let no man seek his own, but that which is another's.25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat; asking no question for conscience' sake.26 The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.27 If any of them that believe not, invite you, and you will be willing to go; eat of any thing that is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake.28 But if any man say: This has been sacrificed to idols, do not eat of it for his sake that told it, and for conscience' sake.29 Conscience, I say, not thy own, but the other's. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience ?30 If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I evil spoken of, for that for which I give thanks ?31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.32 Be without offence to the Jews, and to the Gentiles, and to the church of God:33 As I also in all things please all men, not seeking that which is profitable to myself, but to many, that 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.