Verse 1
Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
Verse 2
and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Verse 3
and all ate the same spiritual food;
Verse 4
and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
Verse 5
However with most of them, God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
Verse 6
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
Verse 7
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."
Verse 8
Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
Verse 9
Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested, and perished by the serpents.
Verse 10
Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and perished by the destroyer.
Verse 11
Now all 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.
Verse 12
Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn't fall.
Verse 13
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. 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.
Verse 14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
Verse 15
I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.
Verse 16
The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a communion of the body of Christ?
Verse 17
Because we, who are many, are one bread, one body; for we all partake of the one bread.
Verse 18
Consider Israel after the flesh. Don't those who eat the sacrifices have communion with the altar?
Verse 19
What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
Verse 20
But I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don't desire that you would have communion with demons.
Verse 21
You can't both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You can't both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
Verse 22
Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?
Verse 23
"All things are lawful for me," but not all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not all things build up.
Verse 24
Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbor's good.
Verse 25
Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience,
Verse 26
for "the earth is the Lord's, and its fullness."
Verse 27
But if one of those who don't 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.
Verse 28
But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," don't eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."
Verse 29
Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?
Verse 30
If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks?
Verse 31
Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Verse 32
Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;
Verse 33
even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.