Avoid Israel’s Mistakes

10 For I do not want you to be unaware, believers, that our fathers were all under the cloud [in which God’s presence went before them] and they all passed [miraculously and safely] through the [Red] Sea;^{(A) 2} And all [of them] were baptized into Moses [into his safekeeping as their leader] in the cloud and in the sea; ³ and all [of them] ate the same ^[a]spiritual food;^{(B) 4} and all [of them] drank the same ^[b]spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ.^{(C) 5} Nevertheless, God was not well-pleased with ^[c]most of them, for they were scattered along the ground in the wilderness [because their lack of self-control led to disobedience which led to death].^(D)

⁶ Now these things [the warnings and admonitions] took place as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did.^{(E) 7} Do not be worshipers of handmade gods, as some of them were; just as it is written [in Scripture], “The people sat down to eat and drink [after sacrificing to the ^[d]golden calf at Horeb], and stood up to play [indulging in immoral activities].”^{(F) 8} We must not indulge in [nor tolerate] sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell [dead] in a single day!^{(G) 9} We must not tempt the Lord [that is, test His patience, question His purpose or exploit His goodness], as some of them did—and they were killed by serpents.^{(H) 10} And do not murmur [in unwarranted discontent], as some of them did—and were destroyed by the ^[e]destroyer.^{(I) 11} Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come. ¹² Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. ¹³ No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].

¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul].