The Need for Self-Discipline

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?^(A) Run^(B) in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(C) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^{(D) 26} Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;^(E) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.^{(F) 27} No, I strike a blow to my body^(G) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.^(H)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant^(I) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud^(J) and that they all passed through the sea.^{(K) 2} They were all baptized into^(L) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³ They all ate the same spiritual food^{(M) 4} and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock^(N) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.^(O)

⁶ Now these things occurred as examples^(P) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷ Do not be idolaters,^(Q) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”^{[a](R) 8} We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.^{(S) 9} We should not test Christ,^[b](T) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.^{(U) 10} And do not grumble, as some of them did^(V)—and were killed^(W) by the destroying angel.^(X)

¹¹ These things happened to them as examples^(Y) and were written down as warnings for us,^(Z) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.^{(AA) 12} So, if you think you are standing firm,^(AB) be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ No temptation^[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;^(AC) he will not let you be tempted^[d] beyond what you can bear.^(AD) But when you are tempted,^[e] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ Therefore, my dear friends,^(AE) flee from idolatry.^(AF)