1 Corinthians 10

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

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

2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

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

3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

They all ate the same spiritual food

4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

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

5 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

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

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

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

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.

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.”

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

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

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

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

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

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

11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (aiōn g165)

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)

12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

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

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it.]

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.

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

So my good friends, stay away from idol worship.

15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

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

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

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?

17 For we [being] many are one bread, [and] one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

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

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

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

19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

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

20 But I [say], that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

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

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of devils.

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.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

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

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

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

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s [wealth].

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

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, [that] eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

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

26 For the earth [is] the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

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

27 If any of them that believe not bid you [to a feast], and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

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.

28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth [is] the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof:

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.

29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another [man’s] conscience?

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

30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

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

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

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

32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

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

33 Even as I please all [men] in all [things], not seeking mine own profit, but the [profit] of many, that they may be saved.

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.