1 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under *Ex. 13:21, 22; Ps. 105:39the cloud, all passed through *Ex. 14:21, 22, 29; Neh. 9:11; Ps. 66:6the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same *Ex. 16:4, 15, 35; Deut. 8:3; Neh. 9:15, 20; Ps. 78:24; John 6:31spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same *Ex. 17:5–7; Num. 20:11; Ps. 78:15spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for theirbodies*Num. 14:29, 37; 26:65; Heb. 3:17; Jude 5were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as *Num. 11:4, 34; Ps. 106:14they also lusted. 7 *Ex. 32:4; 1 Cor. 5:11; 10:14And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, *Ex. 32:6; 1 Cor. 15:32"The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play." 8 *Rev. 2:14Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as *Num. 25:1–9some of them did, and *Ps. 106:29in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us tempt Christ, as *Ex. 17:2, 7some of them also tempted, and *Num. 21:6–9were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as *Ex. 16:2some of them also complained, and *Num. 14:37were destroyed by *Ex. 12:23; 2 Sam. 24:16; 1 Chr. 21:15; Heb. 11:28the destroyer. 11 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and *Rom. 15:4they were written for our admonition, *Phil. 4:5upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore *Rom. 11:20let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but *1 Cor. 1:9God is faithful, *Ps. 125:3who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

14 Therefore, my beloved, *2 Cor. 6:17flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to *1 Cor. 8:1wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 *Matt. 26:26–28; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:20; 1 Cor. 11:25The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? *Matt. 26:26; Luke 22:19; Acts 2:42; 1 Cor. 11:23The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For *Rom. 12:5; 1 Cor. 12:12, 27; Eph. 4:4, 16; Col. 3:15we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

18 Observe *Rom. 4:12Israel *Rom. 4:1after the flesh: *Lev. 3:3; 7:6, 14; Deut. 12:17Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? *1 Cor. 8:4That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles *Lev. 17:7sacrifice *Deut. 32:17; Ps. 106:37; Gal. 4:8; Rev. 9:20they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 *2 Cor. 6:15, 16You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and *Deut. 32:38the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the *(1 Cor. 11:23–29)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we *Deut. 32:21provoke the Lord to jealousy? *Ezek. 22:14Are we stronger than He?

23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are *1 Cor. 6:12helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one *Phil. 2:4the other’s well-being.

25 *(1 Tim. 4:4)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for *Ex. 19:5; Ps. 24:1; 50:12; 1 Tim. 4:4"the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness."

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you todinner, and you desire to go, *Luke 10:7, 8eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it *(1 Cor. 8:7, 10, 12)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; for *Deut. 10:14; Ps. 24:1"the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness." 29 "Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For *Rom. 14:16; (1 Cor. 9:19)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for thefood*Rom. 14:6over which I give thanks?

31 *Col. 3:17; 1 Pet. 4:11Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 *Rom. 14:13Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just *Rom. 15:2; 1 Cor. 9:22; (Gal. 1:10)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.