10 My Christian friends, remember what happened to our Israelite ancestors. Moses led them out of Egypt long ago. While they followed Moses, they all walked under the same cloud. All of them walked across the Red Sea. [ a ] 2 It is like God baptized all of them in the cloud and in the sea. In that way, they became people who followed Moses. 3 All our ancestors ate the same spiritual food. [ b ] 4 All of them drank the same spiritual drink. They drank water from the spiritual rock that went with them. Christ was that rock. [ c ] 5 They all received the same help from God, but most of them did not please God. God caused most of them to die in the wilderness. [ d ]
6 We must learn from those things that happened to our ancestors. We must not want to do very bad things, like they did. 7 Do not worship idols, as some of them did. The Bible says: ‘The people sat down to eat and to drink. After that, they got up from their meal and they danced.’ [ e ]
8 Nor must we ever have sex in wrong ways. Some of our ancestors did that, and 23,000 of them died in one day as a result. [ f ]
9 Nor must we do bad things to see whether the Lord will punish us. Some of our ancestors did that, and God sent snakes to destroy them. [ g ]
10 Do not complain against God. Some of our ancestors spoke like that, and God sent an angel of death to kill them. [ h ]
11 All these things happened to our ancestors so that we would learn from them. They are written in the Bible to teach us important lessons. We are people who live at a time when all things will become complete.
12 If you think that you are standing strongly, be careful! Do not fall down! 13 You may often want to do wrong things. The things that are difficult for you are difficult for other people too. Remember that God is always there to help you. He will not let any bad thing be too difficult for you. He will help you to stand against it. When you want to do something wrong, God will make you strong in your spirit. He will show you a way out, so that you do not do anything wrong.
14 So, my friends, keep away from idols. Do not worship them. 15 You are people who think carefully about things. So think about what I am saying to you. 16 When we eat the Lord's Supper together, we remember that Christ died on our behalf. We thank God for the wine that we drink from the cup. In that way, we remember that we all belong to Christ because of his blood. We also break the bread and we eat it together. In that way, we remember that we all belong to Christ because of his body that died on the cross. 17 We are many people, but all of us eat part of the same loaf of bread. That shows that we are one group of people. We belong together because Christ died on our behalf.
18 Think about Israel's people. They eat part of the animals that the priests offer on the altar as a sacrifice. This shows that they share together in the sacrifice. 19 So think about food that people offer to idols as a sacrifice. I am not saying that the idols are real gods. The food that people offer to them is not special food. 20 But the people who offer food to idols are worshipping demons. They are not worshipping God when they do that. I do not want you to share in what they do to worship demons. 21 If you drink anything from the cup of demons, you can not then drink wine from the Lord's cup. If you share a meal with demons, you can not also share in the Lord's meal.
22 If we do things like that, we will cause the Lord to be angry. We should worship only him. You know that we are not stronger than he is!
23 Some of you may say, ‘We are free to do anything that we want to do!’ But not everything is good for you to do. You may say, ‘We are free to do anything!’ But not everything helps you to be strong as a believer. 24 Do not think about the things that will help you. Instead, each of you should think about what will help other people.
25 You can eat any meat that people sell in the market. Do not ask questions about the meat. Do not cause your thoughts to have trouble. 26 The Bible says this: ‘The earth, and everything in it, belongs to the Lord.’ [ i ]
27 People who do not believe in Christ may ask you to eat a meal with them. Agree to go to his home, if you want to. Then you should eat whatever food they give to you. Do not ask questions about the food. Do not cause your thoughts to have trouble. 28 But someone there may say to you, ‘They offered this food to an idol.’ If someone tells you that, do not eat the food. It might cause trouble to the thoughts of the person who told you. 29 It may not cause your own thoughts to have trouble. But the other person may not be sure if it is right to eat that kind of food.
Perhaps you will say, ‘Why should another person's thoughts decide what is right for me? I am free to do what I want. 30 I thank God for my food before I eat it. If I do that, nobody should say that it is wrong for me to eat it.’
31 Whatever you are doing, show that God is great. When you eat anything, or you drink anything, do it all in a way that praises God. 32 Do not cause problems for other people. Whether they are Jews or Gentiles, or people who belong to God's church, live in a way that does not cause problems for them. 33 Copy my example. Whatever I do, I try to make other people happy. I do not try to do what will help me. Instead, I want to help other people. I live in that way so that God will save many people.
10 Brothers and sisters, I want you to know what happened to our ancestors who were with Moses. They were all under the cloud, [ a ] and they all walked through the sea. 2 They were all baptized [ b ] into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and they all drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from that spiritual rock that was with them, and that rock was Christ. 5 But God was not pleased with most of those people, so they were killed in the desert.
6 And these things that happened are examples for us. These examples should stop us from wanting evil things like those people did. 7 Don’t worship idols as some of them did. As the Scriptures say, “The people sat down to eat and drink and then got up to have a wild party.” [ c ] 8 We should not commit sexual sins as some of them did. In one day 23,000 of them died because of their sin. 9 We should not test Christ [ d ] as some of them did. Because of that, they were killed by snakes. 10 And don’t complain as some of them did. Because they complained, they were killed by the angel that destroys.
11 The things that happened to those people are examples. They were written to be warnings for us. We live in the time that all those past histories were pointing to. 12 So anyone who thinks they are standing strong should be careful that they don’t fall. 13 The only temptations that you have are the same temptations that all people have. But you can trust God. He will not let you be tempted more than you can bear. But when you are tempted, God will also give you a way to escape that temptation. Then you will be able to endure it.
14 So, my dear friends, stay away from worshiping idols. 15 You are intelligent people. Judge for yourselves the truth of what I say now. 16 The cup of blessing [ e ] that we give thanks for is a sharing in the blood sacrifice of Christ, isn’t it? And the bread that we break is a sharing in the body of Christ, isn’t it? 17 There is one loaf of bread, so we who are many are one body, because we all share in that one loaf.
18 And think about what the people of Israel do. When they eat the sacrifices, [ f ] they are united by sharing what was offered on the altar. 19 So, am I saying that sacrifices to idols are the same as those Jewish sacrifices? No, because an idol is nothing, and the things offered to idols are worth nothing. 20 But I am saying that when food is sacrificed to idols, it is an offering to demons, not to God. And I don’t want you to share anything with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and then go drink a cup that honors demons. You cannot share a meal at the Lord’s table and then go share a meal that honors demons. 22 Doing that would make the Lord jealous. [ g ] Do you really want to do that? Do you think we are stronger than he is?
23 “All things are allowed,” you say. But not all things are good. “All things are allowed.” But some things don’t help anyone. 24 Try to do what is good for others, not just what is good for yourselves.
25 Eat any meat that is sold in the meat market. Don’t ask questions about it to see if it is something you think is wrong to eat. 26 You can eat it, “because the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.” [ h ]
27 Someone who is not a believer might invite you to eat with them. If you want to go, then eat anything that is put before you. Don’t ask questions to see if it is something you think is wrong to eat. 28 But if someone tells you, “That food was offered to idols,” then don’t eat it. That’s because some people think it is wrong, and it might cause a problem for the person who told you that. 29 I don’t mean that you think it is wrong. But the other person might think it is wrong. That’s the only reason not to eat it. My own freedom should not be judged by what another person thinks. 30 I eat the meal with thankfulness. So I don’t want to be criticized because of something I thank God for.
31 So if you eat, or if you drink, or if you do anything, do it for the glory of God. 32 Never do anything that might make other people do wrong—Jews, non-Jews, or anyone in God’s church. 33 I do the same thing. I try to please everyone in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me. I am trying to do what is good for the most people so that they can be saved.
10 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
3 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
4 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
5 But with many 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 ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.
8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
10 For ( A ) I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters , that our fathers were all ( B ) under the cloud and they all ( C ) passed through the sea; 2 and they all were ( D ) baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and they all ( E ) ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all ( F ) drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was [ a ] Christ. 5 Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were ( G ) spread out in the wilderness.
6 Now these things happened as ( H ) examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as ( I ) they indeed craved them . 7 Do not be ( J ) idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “ ( K ) The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to ( L ) play .” 8 Nor are we to commit sexual immorality, as ( M ) some of them [ b ] did, and ( N ) twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9 Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as ( O ) some of them [ c ] did, and were killed by the snakes. 10 Nor ( P ) grumble, as some of them [ d ] did, and ( Q ) were killed by the ( R ) destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an ( S ) example, and ( T ) they were written for our instruction, upon whom ( U ) the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let the one who ( V ) thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and ( W ) God is faithful, [ e ] so He will not allow you to be ( X ) tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my ( Y ) beloved, flee from ( Z ) idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise people; you then , judge what I say. 16 Is the ( AA ) cup of blessing which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the ( AB ) bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Since there is one loaf, we ( AC ) who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf. 18 Look at [ f ] the people of ( AD ) Israel; are those who ( AE ) eat the sacrifices not partners in the altar? 19 What do I mean then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or ( AF ) that an idol is [ g ] anything? 20 No , but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they ( AG ) sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons. 21 ( AH ) You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and ( AI ) the table of demons. 22 Or do we ( AJ ) provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not ( AK ) stronger than He, are we?
23 ( AL ) All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things [ h ] ( AM ) build people up. 24 No one is to ( AN ) seek his own advantage , but rather that of his [ i ] neighbor. 25 ( AO ) Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience; 26 ( AP ) for the earth is the Lord ’ s, and [ j ] all it contains . 27 If ( AQ ) one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, ( AR ) eat anything that is set before you without asking questions, for the sake of conscience. 28 But ( AS ) if anyone says to you, “This is meat sacrificed to idols,” do not eat it , for the sake of that one who informed you and for the sake of conscience; 29 Now by “conscience” I do not mean your own, but the other person’s; for ( AT ) why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, ( AU ) why am I slandered about that for which I ( AV ) give thanks?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or ( AW ) whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. 32 ( AX ) Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or ( AY ) the church of God; 33 just as I also ( AZ ) please everyone in all things, ( BA ) not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, ( BB ) so that they may be saved.
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.
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 )
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 )
