(A)And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, (B)“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (C)Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as (D)some of them did, and (E)in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us [a]tempt Christ, as (F)some of them also tempted, and (G)were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as (H)some of them also complained, and (I)were destroyed by (J)the destroyer. 11 Now [b]all these things happened to them as examples, and (K)they were written for our [c]admonition, (L)upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore (M)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 (N)God is faithful, (O)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, (P)flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to (Q)wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 (R)The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the [e]communion of the blood of Christ? (S)The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For (T)we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

18 Observe (U)Israel (V)after the flesh: (W)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices [f]partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? (X)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (Y)sacrifice (Z)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (AA)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (AB)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (AC)Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:9 test
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NU omits all
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:11 instruction
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 endure
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:16 fellowship or sharing
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers

Do not be idolaters,(A) 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](B) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(C) We should not test Christ,[b](D) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(E) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(F)—and were killed(G) by the destroying angel.(H)

11 These things happened to them as examples(I) and were written down as warnings for us,(J) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(K) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(L) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(M) he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear.(N) 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,(O) flee from idolatry.(P) 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break(Q) a participation in the body of Christ?(R) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(S) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(T) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(U) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(V) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(W)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  2. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.