1For I would not , brethren , have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud , and all passed through the sea ; 2and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea ; 3and did all eat the same spiritual food ; 4and did all drink the same spiritual drink : for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them : and the rock was Christ . 5Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased : for they were overthrown in the wilderness .
The Danger of Idolatry
6Now these things were our examples , to the intent we should not lust after evil things , as they also lusted . 7Neither be ye idolaters , as were some of them ; as it is 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 . 9Neither let us make trial of the Lord , as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents . 10Neither murmur ye , as some of them murmured , and perished by the destroyer . 11Now these things happened unto them by way of example ; and they were written for our admonition , upon whom the ends of the ages are come . 12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall . 13There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear : but God is faithful , who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able ; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape , that ye may be able to endure it . 14Wherefore , my beloved, flee from idolatry .
The Call to Endurance
15I speak as to wise men ; judge ye what I say . 16The cup of blessing which we bless , is it not a communion of the blood of Christ ? The bread which we break , is it not a communion of the body of Christ ? 17seeing that we , who are many , are one bread, one body : for we all partake of the one bread. 18Behold Israel after the flesh : have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar ? 19What say I then ? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything , or that an idol is anything ? 20But I say , that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice , they sacrifice to demons , and not to God : and I would not that ye should have communion with demons . 21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord , and the cup of demons : ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord , and of the table of demons . 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy ? are we stronger than he ?
Living for God's Glory
23All things are lawful ; but not all things are expedient . All things are lawful ; but not all things edify . 24Let no man seek his own , but each his neighbor ’s good . 25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles , eat , asking no question for conscience ’ sake ; 26for the earth is the Lord ’ s , and the fulness thereof. 27If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast , and ye are disposed to go ; whatsoever is set before you , eat , asking no question for conscience ’ sake . 28But if any man say unto you , This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not , for his sake that showed it , and for conscience ’ sake : 29conscience , I say , not thine 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 to Greeks , or to the church of God : 33even as I also please all men in all things , not seeking mine own profit , but the profit of the many , that they may be saved .