Chapter 10.
Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our
fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and were all
baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and did all eat the same
spiritual meat, and did all drink the same spiritual drink.
For they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.
But with many of them God was not well pleased, for they were overthrown in the
wilderness.
Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after
evil things, as they also lusted.
Neither 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.
Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one
day three and twenty thousand.
Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of
serpents.
Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the
destroyer.
Now all these things happened unto them for examples, and they are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
Wherefore, let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed, lest he fall.
There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man.
But God is faithful.
Who will not suffer you to be tempted above, that ye are able?
But will, with the temptation, also make a way to escape, that ye may be
able to bear it?
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
I speak as to wise men.
Judge ye what I say.
The cup of blessing 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?
For we being many are one bread and one body, for we are all partakers of that one
bread.
Behold Israel after the flesh.
Are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
What say I then, that the idol is any thing?
Or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?
But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to
devils, and not to God.
And I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils.
Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?
Are we stronger than he?
All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.
All things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for
conscience' sake.
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.
If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go,
whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience' sake.
But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols,
eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience' sake.
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof.
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other.
For why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which
I give thanks?
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory
of God.
Give none offense, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of
God.
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the
profit of many, that they may be saved.