1 Corinthians 10

1 Now I want to explain this to you, brothers and sisters. Our forefathers lived under the cloud, and they all passed through the sea.

Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

2 Symbolically then they were baptized “into Moses” in the cloud and in the sea.

and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

3 They all ate the same spiritual food

and all ate the same spiritual food;

4 and drank the same spiritual drink, for they “drank from a spiritual rock” that accompanied them. That rock was Christ.

and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.

5 However, God wasn't happy with most of them, and they perished in the desert.

However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these experiences are examples to us to show us we should not desire what is evil, as they did.

Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

7 You must not worship idols, as some of them did, as it's recorded in Scripture: “The people feasted and drank, and indulged in pagan worship.”

Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play."

8 We must not commit sexual sins, as some of them did, and as a result 23,000 died in one day.

Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.

9 Nor should we push God to the limit, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.

Neither let us test the Christ, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.

10 Don't complain at God, as some did, and died at the hands of the destroying angel.

Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.

11 All the things that happened to them are examples to us and were written down to warn us, we who are living close to the end of time. (aiōn g165)

Now these things happened to them by way of example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. (aiōn g165)

12 So if you think you're strong enough to stay standing—be careful you don't fall!

Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall.

13 You won't experience any greater temptation than anyone else, and God is trustworthy. He won't allow you to be tempted more than you can bear, and when you are tempted, he will provide for you a way out so you can stay strong.

No temptation has taken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14 So my good friends, stay away from idol worship.

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

15 I'm talking to sensible people, so you decide whether I'm telling the truth.

I speak as to wise people. Judge what I say.

16 When we give thanks for the cup we use in the Lord's Supper, don't we share in the blood of Christ? When we break the communion bread, don't we share in the body of Christ?

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a sharing of the body of Christ?

17 By eating from one loaf of bread, we show that even though we are many, we are one body.

Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.

18 Look at the people of Israel. Don't those who eat the sacrifices made on the altar share together?

Consider Israel according to the flesh. Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar?

19 What am I saying then? That anything sacrificed to idols means anything, or that an idol has any real existence? Of course not!

What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

20 The pagans are sacrificing to demons, and not to God. I don't want you to have anything to do with demons!

But I say that the things which pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I do not desire that you would have fellowship with demons.

21 You can't drink the Lord's cup as well as the cup of demons; you can't eat from the Lord's table as well as the table of demons.

You cannot both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

22 Are we trying to make the Lord jealous? Are we stronger than he is?

Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

23 Some say, “I'm free to do anything”—but not everything is appropriate! “I'm free to do anything”—but not everything is constructive!

"All things are lawful," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.

24 You shouldn't look out for yourself, but for your neighbor.

Let no one seek his own, but his neighbor's good.

25 Eat whatever is sold in the market without asking questions because of your conscience,

Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,

26 for “the earth and everything in it belong to God.”

for "the earth is the Lord's, and its fullness."

27 If a non-Christian invites you to a meal, and you feel like going, eat whatever you are served, without asking questions because of your conscience.

But if one of those who do not believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience.

28 But if someone tells you, “This food has been sacrificed to idols,” don't eat it for the sake of the one who mentioned it and for conscience' sake.

But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience.

29 His conscience I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else's conscience?

Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

30 If I choose to eat with thankfulness, why should I be criticized for eating what I'm thankful to God for?

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks?

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, make sure to do everything to the glory of God.

Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Don't cause offense, whether it's to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—

Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God;

33 just as I try to please everybody in all I do. I don't think of what benefits me, but what benefits others, so that they may be saved.

even as I also please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.