1 Corinthians: Chapter 10
1. Now I would not have you ignorant, brothers, that
our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2. and were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and
in the sea;
3. and all ate the same spiritual food;
4. and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they
drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.
5. However with most of them, God was not well
pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
6. Now these things were our examples, to the intent
we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.
7. Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As
it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to
play." {Exodus 32:6}
8. Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some
of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell.
9. Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them
tested, and perished by the serpents.
10. Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled,
and perished by the destroyer.
11. Now all these things happened to them by way of
example, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages
have come.
12. Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful
that he doesn't fall.
13. No temptation has taken you except what is common
to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you
are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you
may be able to endure it.
14. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.
15. I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say.
16. The cup of blessing which we bless, isn't it a
communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn't it a
communion of the body of Christ?
17. Because there is one loaf of bread, we, who are
many, are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf of bread.
18. Consider Israel according to the flesh. Don't
those who eat the sacrifices have communion with the altar?
19. What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to
idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?
20. But I say that the things which the Gentiles
sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God, and I don't desire that
you would have communion with demons.
21. You can't both drink the cup of the Lord and the
cup of demons. You can't both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the
table of demons.
22. Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we
stronger than he?
23. "All things are lawful for me," but not
all things are profitable. "All things are lawful for me," but not
all things build up.
24. Let no one seek his own, but each one his
neighbor's good.
25. Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking
no question for the sake of conscience,
26. for "the earth is the Lord's, and its
fullness." {Psalm 24:1}
27. But if one of those who don't believe invites you
to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking
no questions for the sake of conscience.
28. But if anyone says to you, "This was offered
to idols," don't eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the
sake of conscience. For "the earth is the Lord's, and all its
fullness."
29. Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's
conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience?
30. If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced
for that for which I give thanks?
31. Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God.
32. Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews,
or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;
33. even as I also please all men in all things, not
seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.