Chapter 10
1 Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud , and all passed through the sea ;
2 and were all baptised 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 drank of a spiritual rock that followed them , and the rock was Christ .
5 However with most of them , God was not well pleased , for they were overthrown in the wilderness .
6 Now these things were our examples , to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted .
7 Don’ t 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 Let ’s not commit sexual immorality , as some of them committed , and in one day twenty-three thousand fell .
9 Let ’ s not test Christ , as some of them tested , and perished by the serpents .
10 Don’ t grumble , as some of them also grumbled , and perished by the destroyer .
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 .
12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he doesn’ t fall .
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 .
14 Therefore , my beloved, flee from idolatry .
15 I speak as to wise men . Judge what I say .
16 The cup of blessing which we bless , isn’ t it a sharing of the blood of Christ ? The bread which we break , isn’ t it a sharing of the body of Christ ?
17 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 Consider Israel according to the flesh . Don’ t those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar ?
19 What am I saying then ? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything , or that an idol is anything ?
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 fellowship with demons .
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 .
22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy ? Are we stronger than he ?
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 .
24 Let no one seek his own , but each one his neighbour’s good .
25 Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat , asking no question for the sake of conscience ,
26 for " the earth is the Lord ’ s , and its fullness ."
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 .
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, with all its fullness."
29 Conscience , I say , not your own , but the other ’s conscience . For why is my liberty judged by another conscience ?
30 If I partake with thankfulness , why am I denounced for something I give thanks for ?
31 Whether therefore you eat or drink , or whatever you do , do all to the glory of God .
32 Give no occasion for stumbling, whether to Jews , to Greeks , or to the assembly of God ;
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 .