The First to the Corinthians
10 Now I do not want YOU to be ignorant, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud+ and all passed through the sea+ 2 and all got baptized into Moses+ by means of the cloud and of the sea; 3 and all ate the same* spiritual food+ 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink.+ For they used to drink from the spiritual rock-mass+ that followed them, and that rock-mass*+ meant* the Christ.+ 5 Nevertheless, on most of them God did not express his approval,+ for they were laid low+ in the wilderness.
6 Now these things became our examples,* for us not to be persons desiring injurious things,+ even as they desired them. 7 Neither become idolaters, as some of them did;+ just as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they got up to have a good time.”+ 8 Neither let us practice fornication, as some of them committed fornication,+ only to fall, twenty-three thousand [of them] in one day.+ 9 Neither let us put Jehovah*+ to the test, as some of them put [him] to the test,+ only to perish by the serpents.+ 10 Neither be murmurers, just as some of them murmured,+ only to perish by the destroyer.+ 11 Now these things went on befalling them as examples,* and they were written for a warning+ to us upon whom the ends* of the systems of things*+ have arrived.
12 Consequently let him that thinks he is standing beware that he does not fall.+ 13 No temptation has taken YOU except what is common to men.+ But God is faithful,+ and he will not let YOU be tempted beyond what YOU can bear,+ but along with the temptation he will also make the way out+ in order for YOU to be able to endure it.
14 Therefore, my beloved ones, flee+ from idolatry.+ 15 I speak as to men with discernment;+ judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup+ of blessing which we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of the Christ? The loaf which we break,+ is it not a sharing in the body of the Christ?+ 17 Because there is one loaf, we, although many,+ are one body,*+ for we are all partaking of that one loaf.+
18 LOOK at that which is Israel in a fleshly way:+ Are not those who eat the sacrifices sharers with* the altar?+ 19 What, then, am I to say? That what is sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?+ 20 No; but I say that the things which the nations* sacrifice they sacrifice to demons,+ and not to God; and I do not want YOU to become sharers with the demons.+ 21 YOU cannot be drinking the cup of Jehovah*+ and the cup of demons; YOU cannot be partaking of “the table of Jehovah”*+ and the table of demons. 22 Or “are we inciting Jehovah* to jealousy”?+ We are not stronger+ than he is, are we?
23 All things are lawful; but not all things are advantageous.+ All things are lawful;+ but not all things build up.+ 24 Let each one keep seeking, not his own [advantage],+ but that of the other person.+
25 Everything that is sold in a meat market keep eating,+ making no inquiry on account of YOUR conscience;+ 26 for “to Jehovah*+ belong the earth and that which fills it.”+ 27 If anyone of the unbelievers invites YOU and YOU wish to go, proceed to eat everything that is set before YOU,+ making no inquiry on account of YOUR conscience.+ 28 But if anyone should say to YOU: “This is something offered in sacrifice,” do not eat on account of the one that disclosed it and on account of conscience.*+ 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other person. For why should it be that my freedom is judged by another person’s conscience?+ 30 If I am partaking with thanks, why am I to be spoken of abusively over that for which I give thanks?+
31 Therefore, whether YOU are eating or drinking or doing anything else, do all things for God’s glory.+ 32 Keep from becoming causes for stumbling+ to Jews as well as Greeks and to the congregation of God, 33 even as I am pleasing all people in all things,+ not seeking my own advantage+ but that of the many, in order that they might get saved.+