Warnings from Israel’s Past

1For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and they all did eat the same spiritual food; 4and all did drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5But with many of them God is not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6And these became our examples, in order that we may not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7Neither be ye idolaters, as some of them were; as has been written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and arose up to play. 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and fell in one day twenty-three thousand. 9Neither let us tempt the Lord, as some of them tempted Him, and were destroyed by serpents. 10Neither murmur, as some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11But these things happened unto them as examples; and were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have descended. 12So let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he may fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you, except that which is human: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make a way of escape, in order that you may be able to bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

14Therefore, my beloved, fly from idolatry. 15As I speak to the wise; judge ye what I say. 16The 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? 17Because we, being many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of one bread. 18See Israel after the flesh: are not all eating the sacrifices communicants of the altar? 19Then what do I say? that idolatry is anything? or that an idol is anything? 20But those things which they sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. But I do not wish you to be the communicants of demons. 21You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: you are not able to partake of the table of the Lord, and the table of demons. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? whether are we stronger than he?

All to God’s Glory
(1 Peter 4:1–11)

23All things are lawful; but all things are not profitable. All things are lawful; but all things do not edify. 24Let no one seek his own, but that of another. 25Eat everything which is sold in market, asking no questions on account of conscience; 26for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness of the same. 27If any one of the unbelievers invite you, and you wish to go; eat everything which is placed before you, asking no questions on account of conscience. 28But if any one may say to you; This is offered to an idol, eat not, on account of him who gave the information, and his conscience. 29But I say the conscience not of himself, but of the other one. For why is my liberty judged by the conscience of another? 30If I partake with grace, why am I traduced for that over which I give thanks?

31Then whether you eat, or whether you drink, or what you do, do all things to the glory of God. 32Be ye without offence, both to Jews, and to Greeks, and to the church of God: 33as I also please all in all things, seeking not my own profit, but that of the many, that they may be saved.