Old Testament Examples

10 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under ^(A)the cloud, all passed through ^(B)the sea, ² all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ³ all ate the same ^(C)spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same ^(D)spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. ⁵ But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies ^(E)were scattered in the wilderness.

⁶ Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as ^(F)they also lusted. ^7 (G)And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, ^(H)“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” ^8 (I)Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as ^(J)some of them did, and ^(K)in one day twenty-three thousand fell; ⁹ nor let us ^[a]tempt Christ, as ^(L)some of them also tempted, and ^(M)were destroyed by serpents; ¹⁰ nor complain, as ^(N)some of them also complained, and ^(O)were destroyed by ^(P)the destroyer. ¹¹ Now ^[b]all these things happened to them as examples, and ^(Q)they were written for our ^[c]admonition, ^(R)upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

¹² Therefore ^(S)let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but ^(T)God is faithful, ^(U)who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to ^[d]bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, ^(V)flee from idolatry. ¹⁵ I speak as to ^(W)wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. ^16 (X)The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the ^[e]communion of the blood of Christ? ^(Y)The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? ¹⁷ For ^(Z)we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

¹⁸ Observe ^(AA)Israel ^(AB)after the flesh: ^(AC)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices ^[f]partakers of the altar? ¹⁹ What am I saying then? ^(AD)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? ²⁰ Rather, that the things which the Gentiles ^(AE)sacrifice ^(AF)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. ^21 (AG)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and ^(AH)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the ^(AI)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. ²² Or do we ^(AJ)provoke the Lord to jealousy? ^(AK)Are we stronger than He?

All to the Glory of God^(AL)

²³ All things are lawful ^[g]for me, but not all things are ^(AM)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things ^[h]edify. ²⁴ Let no one seek his own, but each one ^(AN)the other’s well-being.

^25 (AO)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; ²⁶ for ^(AP)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

²⁷ If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, ^(AQ)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. ²⁸ But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it ^(AR)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; ^[i]for ^(AS)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” ²⁹ “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For ^(AT)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? ³⁰ But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food ^(AU)over which I give thanks?

^31 (AV)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. ^32 (AW)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just ^(AX)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.