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1 Corinthians 10
New International Version
1 Corinthians 10
New International Version
Warnings From Israel’s History
10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(A) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(B) and that they all passed through the sea.(C) 2 They were all baptized into(D) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food(E) 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(F) 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.(G)
6 Now these things occurred as examples(H) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters,(I) 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](J) 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(K) 9 We should not test Christ,[b](L) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(M) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(N)—and were killed(O) by the destroying angel.(P)
11 These things happened to them as examples(Q) and were written down as warnings for us,(R) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(S) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(T) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[c] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(U) he will not let you be tempted[d] beyond what you can bear.(V) 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,(W) flee from idolatry.(X) 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(Y) a participation in the body of Christ?(Z) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(AA) for we all share the one loaf.
18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(AB) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(AC) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(AD) 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.(AE) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(AF) Are we stronger than he?(AG)
The Believer’s Freedom
23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(AH) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(AI)
25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(AJ) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[f](AK)
27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(AL) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(AM) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(AN) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(AO)
31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(AP) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(AQ) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(AR)— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(AS) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(AT) so that they may be saved.(AU)
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
- 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1
1 Corinthians 10
New King James Version
1 Corinthians 10
New King James Version
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.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 10:9 test
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 NU omits all
- 1 Corinthians 10:11 instruction
- 1 Corinthians 10:13 endure
- 1 Corinthians 10:16 fellowship or sharing
- 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers
- 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
- 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
- 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.
1 Corinthians 10
Contemporary English Version
1 Corinthians 10
Contemporary English Version
Don't Worship Idols
10 (A) Friends, I want to remind you that all our ancestors walked under the cloud and went through the sea. 2 This was like being baptized and becoming followers of Moses. 3 (B) All of them also ate the same spiritual food 4 (C) and drank the same spiritual drink, which flowed from the spiritual rock that followed them. That rock was Christ. 5 (D) But most of them did not please God. So they died, and their bodies were scattered all over the desert.
6 What happened to them is a warning to keep us from wanting to do the same evil things. 7 (E) They worshiped idols, just as the Scriptures say, “The people sat down to eat and drink. Then they got up to dance around.” So don't worship idols. 8 (F) Some of those people did shameful things, and in a single day about 23,000 died. Don't do shameful things as they did. 9 (G) And don't try to test Christ,[a] as some of them did and were later bitten by poisonous snakes. 10 (H) Don't even grumble, as some of them did and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days.
12 Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall. 13 (I) You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted. But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations.
14 My friends, you must keep away from idols. 15 I am speaking to you as people who have enough sense to know what I am talking about. 16 (J) When we drink from the cup we ask God to bless, isn't that sharing in the blood of Christ? When we eat the bread we break, isn't that sharing in the body of Christ? 17 By sharing in the same loaf of bread, we become one body, even though there are many of us.
18 (K)(L) Aren't the people of Israel sharing in the worship when they gather around the altar and eat the sacrifices offered there? 19 Am I saying that either the idols or the food sacrificed to them is anything at all? 20 (M) No, I am not! This food is really sacrificed to demons and not to God. I don't want you to have anything to do with demons. 21 You cannot drink from the cup of demons and still drink from the Lord's cup. You cannot eat at the table of demons and still eat at the Lord's table. 22 (N) We would make the Lord jealous if we did this. And we are not stronger than the Lord.
Always Honor God
23 (O) Some of you say, “We can do whatever we want to!” But I tell you not everything may be good or helpful. 24 We should think about others and not about ourselves. 25 However, when you buy meat in the market, go ahead and eat it. Keep your conscience clear by not asking where the meat came from. 26 (P) The Scriptures say, “The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.”
27 If an unbeliever invites you to dinner, and you want to go, then go. Eat whatever you are served. Don't cause a problem for someone's conscience by asking where the food came from. 28-29 But if you are told it has been sacrificed to idols, don't cause a problem by eating it. I don't mean a problem for yourself, but for the one who told you. Why should my freedom be limited by someone else's conscience? 30 If I give thanks for what I eat, why should anyone accuse me of doing wrong?
31 When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God. 32 Don't cause problems for Jews or Greeks or anyone else who belongs to God's church. 33 I always try to please others instead of myself, in the hope that many of them will be saved.
Footnotes
- 10.9 Christ: Some manuscripts have “the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
1 Corinthians 10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Warnings from Israel’s History
10 I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,(A) 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food,(B) 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.(C) 5 Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the wilderness.(D)
6 Now these things occurred as examples for us, so that we might not desire evil as they did.(E) 7 Do not become idolaters as some of them did, as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to play.”(F) 8 We must not engage in sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.(G) 9 We must not put Christ[a] to the test, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents.(H) 10 And do not complain, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.(I) 11 These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come.(J) 12 So if you think you are standing, watch out that you do not fall. 13 No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.(K)
14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from the worship of idols.(L) 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.(M) 18 Consider the people of Israel:[b] Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?(N) 19 What do I imply, then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what they[c] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.(O) 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.(P) 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?(Q)
Do All to the Glory of God
23 “All things are permitted,” but not all things are beneficial. “All things are permitted,” but not all things build up. 24 Do not seek your own advantage but that of the other.(R) 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience, 26 for “the earth and its fullness are the Lord’s.”(S) 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— 29 I mean the other’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be subject to the judgment of someone else’s conscience?(T) 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of that for which I give thanks?(U)
31 So, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.(V) 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,(W) 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage but that of many, so that they may be saved.(X)
New International Version (NIV) 
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New King James Version (NKJV) 
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Contemporary English Version (CEV) 
Copyright © 1995 by American Bible Society For more information about CEV, visit www.bibles.com and www.cev.bible.
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition (NRSVUE)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.