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.” 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 but such as man can bear. 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 we, who are many, are one
bread, one body; for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider Israel
after 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.” 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.
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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