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 were all immersed unto 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 of the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was the Christ. 5But in the most of them God took no pleasure; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6Now these things became types for us, that we might not covet evil things, as they also coveted. 7Neither become ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it has been written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. 9Nor let us tempt the Lord, as some of them tempted Him, and perished by the serpents. 10Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. 11Now these things were happening to them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, unto whom the ends of the ages have come. 12Wherefore, let him who thinks he is standing take heed, lest he fall. 13A temptation has not taken you, except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

14Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I am speaking as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a partaking of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a partaking of the body of Christ? 17because we, the many, are one bread, one body; for we all partake of the one bread. 18Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19What, then, do I say? that an idol-sacrifice is anything? or that an idol is anything? 20Nay, but I say that the things which the gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God; and I do not wish you to become partakers with the demons. 21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; ye 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?

All to God’s Glory
(1 Peter 4:1–11)

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, but each another's good. 25Whatsoever is sold in the market eat, asking no question because of conscience; 26for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27If one of the unbelieving invites you to a feast, and ye wish to go, whatsoever is set before you eat, asking no question because of conscience. 28But, if anyone says to you, "This is the remains of an idol-sacrifice." eat it not, for his sake that showed it, and because of conscience: 29conscience, I say, not your own, but the other's; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

31Whether, therefore, ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God, 32Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews or Greeks, or to the assembly of God: 33even as I also, in all things, please all men: not seeking my own profit, but that of the many, that they may be saved.