Avoid Israel’s Mistakes

1For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea; 2and they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3and they 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 [a]Christ. 5Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were spread out in the wilderness.

6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they indeed craved them. 7Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND TO DRINK, AND ROSE UP TO PLAY.” 8Nor are we to commit sexual immorality, as some of them [b]did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day. 9Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as some of them [c]did, and were killed by the snakes. 10Nor grumble, as some of them [d]did, and were killed 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 come. 12Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall. 13No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, [e]so He 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 wise people; you then, judge what I say. 16Is the cup of blessing which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf. 18Look at [f]the people of Israel; are those who eat the sacrifices not partners in the altar? 19What do I mean then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is [g]anything? 20No, but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with 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? We are not stronger than He, are we?

23All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things [h]build people up. 24No one is to seek his own advantage, but rather that of his [i]neighbor. 25Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience; 26FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND [j]ALL IT CONTAINS. 27If one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, eat anything that is set before you without asking questions, for the sake of conscience. 28But 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; 29Now by “conscience” I do not mean your own, but the other person’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered about that for which I give thanks?

31Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God. 32Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or the church of God; 33just as I also please everyone in all things, not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, so that they may be saved.