1MOREOVER, brethren, I want you to know, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2And all were baptized by Moses, both in the cloud and in the sea; 3And all ate the same spiritual food; 4And all drank the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. 5But with many of them God was not well pleased; for they were smitten in the wilderness.

6But they became an example to us, so that we should not covet evil things as they did covet. 7Neither should we become idolaters as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to quarrel. 8Neither should we commit adultery, as some of them committed, for in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead. 9Neither should we tempt Christ, as some of them tempted; for they were destroyed by snakes. 10Neither should you murmur, as some of them murmured; for they were destroyed by the hand of the destroyer. 11Now all of these things which happened to them are an example for us: and they are written for our admonition, for the world will come to an end in our day. 12Therefore, let him who thinks he can stand, take heed so that he may not fall. 13No other temptation has overtaken you but that which is common to man: but God is faithful; he will not suffer you to be tempted beyond that you are able; but will make your temptation to have a way of escape, so that you may be able to bear it.

14Therefore, my beloved, keep away from idolatry. 15I speak as to wise men: you are able to judge what I say. 16The cup of thanksgiving which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17For just as the loaf of bread is one, so we are all one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18Behold Israel whose observance is after the flesh: do not those who eat the sacrifices become partakers of the altar? 19What do I say then? that the idol is anything, or that the sacrifice to idols is anything? No. 20But that which the pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils and not to God: and I would not have you in fellowship with devils. 21You cannot drink the cup of our LORD, and the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of our LORD and of the table of devils. 22Are we trying to provoke our LORD to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23Everything is lawful for me, but not everything is expedient: everything is lawful for me, but everything does not edify. 24But let no man seek for himself alone, but let every man seek for his neighbor also. 25Anything for sale in the market place, that eat without question for conscience sake: 26For the earth is the LORD’s and the fulness thereof. 27If any pagan invite you, and you wish to go, whatever is set before you eat, without question for conscience sake. 28But if any man say to you, This meat has been offered as a sacrifice, then do not eat it for the sake of him who told you and for conscience sake. 29But the conscience of which I speak, is not yours, but the conscience of him who told you: for why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30For if I by grace am made worthy why should I be reproached for that for which I give thanks?

31Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32Give no offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Syrians, nor to the church of God; 33Just as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.