¹⁹ Although I am free from all 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 the law,^(C) like one without the law—though I am not without God’s law but under the law of Christ—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 that I may share in the blessings.

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. They do it to receive a perishable crown,^(H) but we an imperishable crown. ²⁶ So 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.^(I)

Warnings from Israel’s Past

10 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors^(A) were all under the cloud,^(B) all passed through the sea,^{(C) 2} and all were baptized^(D) into Moses^(E) in the cloud and in the sea. ³ They all ate the same spiritual food,^{(F) 4} and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual rock^(G) that followed them, and that rock was Christ.^{(H) 5} Nevertheless God was not pleased with most of them, since they were struck down in the wilderness.^(I)

⁶ Now these things took place as examples for us, so that we will not desire^(J) evil things as they did.^{[a](K) 7} Don’t become idolaters^(L) as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to party.^{[b][c](M) 8} Let us not commit sexual immorality^(N) as some of them did,^[d] and in a single day twenty-three thousand people died.^{(O) 9} Let us not test Christ as some of them did^[e] and were destroyed by snakes.^{(P) 10} And don’t grumble^(Q) as some of them did,^[f](R) and were killed by the destroyer.^{[g](S) 11} These things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our instruction,^(T) on whom the ends of the ages^[h](U) have come.^{(V) 12} So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.^{(W) 13} No temptation has come upon you except what is common to humanity. But God is faithful;^(X) he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation he will also provide the way out^(Y) so that you may be able to bear it.