Temptation and God’s Faithfulness

1For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, 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 all ate the same spiritual food; 4and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them, and the rock was [†]Christ. 5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased. For THEY WERE [†]STRUCK DOWN IN THE WILDERNESS. 6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they also craved.

7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND DRINK, AND STOOD UP TO PLAY.” 8Nor let us act in sexual immorality, as some of them [†]did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9Nor let us put Christ to the test, as some of them [†]did, and were destroyed by the serpents. 10Nor grumble, as some of them [†]did, and were destroyed by the destroyer. 11Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have arrived. 12Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man, but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be 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.

14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to prudent people. You judge what I say. 16Is not the cup of blessing which we bless a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is not the [†]bread which we break a sharing in the body of Christ? 17Since there is one [†]bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one [†]bread. 18Look at [†]the nation Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers in the altar? 19What do I mean then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20No, but I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they SACRIFICE TO DEMONS AND NOT TO GOD. And I do not want you to become sharers in demons. 21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22Or do we PROVOKE THE [†]LORD TO JEALOUSY? Are we stronger than He?

23All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things build up. 24Let no one seek his own good, but that of the other person. 25Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 26FOR THE EARTH IS THE [†]LORD’S, AS WELL AS ITS FULLNESS. 27If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions for conscience’ sake. 28But if anyone says to you, “This is meat consecrated to idols,” do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience’ sake. 29I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30If I partake with gratefulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks?

31Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32Give no offense either to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God; 33just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit but the profit of the many, so that they may be saved.