1 Corinthians 9:19-10:13

Holman Christian Standard Bible

¹⁹ Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win^(A) more people. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law^[a]—to win those under the law.^{(B) 21} To those who are without that law,^(C) like one without the law—not being without God’s law but within Christ’s law—to win those without the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.^{(D) 23} Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits.^[b]

²⁴ Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race,^(E) but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.^{(F) 25} Now everyone who competes exercises self-control^(G) in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown^(H) that will fade away,^(I) but we a crown that will never fade away. ²⁶ Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. ²⁷ Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.^(J)

Warnings from Israel’s Past

10 Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers^(K) were all under the cloud,^(L) all passed through the sea,^{(M) 2} and all were baptized^(N) into Moses^(O) in the cloud and in the sea. ³ They all ate the same spiritual food,^{(P) 4} and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock^(Q) that followed them, and that rock was Christ.^{(R) 5} But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.^(S)

⁶ Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire^(T) evil things as they did.^{[c](U) 7} Don’t become idolaters^(V) as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play.^{[d](W)[e] 8} Let us not commit sexual immorality^(X) as some of them did,^[f] and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead.^{(Y) 9} Let us not test Christ as some of them did^[g] and were destroyed by snakes.^{(Z) 10} Nor should we complain^(AA) as some of them did,^[h](AB) and were killed by the destroyer.^{[i](AC) 11} Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us,^(AD) on whom the ends of the ages^(AE) have come.^{(AF) 12} So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.^{(AG) 13} No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful,^(AH) and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape^(AI) so that you are able to bear it.