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Avoid Israel's Mistakes

¹ For ^(C1)I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all ^(C2)under the cloud and they all ^(C3)passed through the sea;² and they all were ^(C1)baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea;³ and they all ^(C1)ate the same spiritual food,⁴ and all ^(C1)drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was ^(F1)Christ.⁵ Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were ^(C1)spread out in the wilderness.

⁶ Now these things happened as ^(C1)examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as ^(C2)they indeed craved them.⁷ Do not be ^(C1)idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "^(C2)THE PEOPLE SAT DOWN TO EAT AND TO DRINK, AND ROSE UP TO ^(C3)PLAY."⁸ Nor are we to commit sexual immorality, as ^(C1)some of them ^(F1)did, and ^(C2)twenty-three thousand fell in one day.⁹ Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as ^(C1)some of them ^(F1)did, and were killed by the snakes.¹⁰ Nor ^(C1)grumble, as some of them ^(F1)did, and ^(C2)were killed by the ^(C3)destroyer.¹¹ Now these things happened to them as an ^(C1)example, and ^(C2)they were written for our instruction, upon whom ^(C3)the ends of the ages have come.¹² Therefore let the one who ^(C1)thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall.¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and ^(C1)God is faithful, ^(F1)so He will not allow you to be ^(C2)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.

¹⁴ Therefore, my ^(C1)beloved, flee from ^(C2)idolatry.¹⁵ I speak as to wise people; you then, judge what I say.¹⁶ Is the ^(C1)cup of blessing which we bless not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Is the ^(C2)bread which we break not a sharing in the body of Christ?¹⁷ Since there is one loaf, we ^(C1)who are many are one body; for we all partake of the one loaf.¹⁸ Look at ^(F1)the people of ^(C1)Israel; are those who ^(C2)eat the sacrifices not partners in the altar?¹⁹ What do I mean then? That food sacrificed to idols is anything, or ^(C1)that an idol is ^(F1)anything?²⁰ No, but I say that things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they ^(C1)sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become partners with demons.^21 (C1)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and ^(C2)the table of demons.²² Or do we ^(C1)provoke the Lord to jealousy? We are not ^(C2)stronger than He, are we?

^23 (C1)All things are permitted, but not all things are of benefit. All things are permitted, but not all things ^(F1)(C2)build people up.²⁴ No one is to ^(C1)seek his own advantage, but rather that of his ^(F1)neighbor.^25 (C1)Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions, for the sake of conscience;^26 (C1)FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD'S, AND ^(F1)ALL IT CONTAINS.²⁷ If ^(C1)one of the unbelievers invites you and you want to go, ^(C2)eat anything that is set before you without asking questions, for the sake of conscience.²⁸ But ^(C1)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.²⁹ Now by "conscience" I do not mean your own, but the other person's; for ^(C1)why is my freedom judged by another's conscience?³⁰ If I partake with thankfulness, ^(C1)why am I slandered about that for which I ^(C2)give thanks?

³¹ Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or ^(C1)whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.^32 (C1)Do not offend Jews or Greeks, or ^(C2)the church of God;³³ just as I also ^(C1)please everyone in all things, ^(C2)not seeking my own benefit but the benefit of the many, ^(C3)so that they may be saved.