1 Corinthians 10

1 For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea.

Now I want to explain this to you, brothers and sisters. Our forefathers lived under the cloud, and they all passed through the sea.

2 And all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud, and in the sea:

Symbolically then they were baptized “into Moses” in the cloud and in the sea.

3 And did all eat the same spiritual food,

They all ate the same spiritual food

4 And all drank the same spiritual drink; (and they drank of the spiritual rock that followed them, and the rock was Christ.)

and drank the same spiritual drink, for they “drank from a spiritual rock” that accompanied them. That rock was Christ.

5 But with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the desert.

However, God wasn't happy with most of them, and they perished in the desert.

6 Now these things were done in a figure of us, that we should not covet evil things as they also coveted.

Now these experiences are examples to us to show us we should not desire what is evil, as they did.

7 Neither become ye idolaters, as some of them, as it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

You must not worship idols, as some of them did, as it's recorded in Scripture: “The people feasted and drank, and indulged in pagan worship.”

8 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed fornication, and there fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

We must not commit sexual sins, as some of them did, and as a result 23,000 died in one day.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ: as some of them tempted, and perished by the serpents.

Nor should we push God to the limit, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.

10 Neither do you murmur: as some of them murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

Don't complain at God, as some did, and died at the hands of the destroying angel.

11 Now all these things happened to them in figure: and they are written for our correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (aiōn g165)

All the things that happened to them are examples to us and were written down to warn us, we who are living close to the end of time. (aiōn g165)

12 Wherefore he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed lest he fall.

So if you think you're strong enough to stay standing—be careful you don't fall!

13 Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.

You won't experience any greater temptation than anyone else, and God is trustworthy. He won't allow you to be tempted more than you can bear, and when you are tempted, he will provide for you a way out so you can stay strong.

14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from the service of idols.

So my good friends, stay away from idol worship.

15 I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I say.

I'm talking to sensible people, so you decide whether I'm telling the truth.

16 The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord?

When we give thanks for the cup we use in the Lord's Supper, don't we share in the blood of Christ? When we break the communion bread, don't we share in the body of Christ?

17 For we, being many, are one bread, one body, all that partake of one bread.

By eating from one loaf of bread, we show that even though we are many, we are one body.

18 Behold Israel according to the flesh: are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?

Look at the people of Israel. Don't those who eat the sacrifices made on the altar share together?

19 What then? Do I say, that what is offered in sacrifice to idols, is any thing? Or, that the idol is any thing?

What am I saying then? That anything sacrificed to idols means anything, or that an idol has any real existence? Of course not!

20 But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers with devils.

The pagans are sacrificing to demons, and not to God. I don't want you to have anything to do with demons!

21 You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord, and the chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of devils.

You can't drink the Lord's cup as well as the cup of demons; you can't eat from the Lord's table as well as the table of demons.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient.

Are we trying to make the Lord jealous? Are we stronger than he is?

23 All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify.

Some say, “I'm free to do anything”—but not everything is appropriate! “I'm free to do anything”—but not everything is constructive!

24 Let no man seek his own, but that which is another’s.

You shouldn't look out for yourself, but for your neighbor.

25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat; asking no question for conscience’ sake.

Eat whatever is sold in the market without asking questions because of your conscience,

26 The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

for “the earth and everything in it belong to God.”

27 If any of them that believe not, invite you, and you will be willing to go; eat of any thing that is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake.

If a non-Christian invites you to a meal, and you feel like going, eat whatever you are served, without asking questions because of your conscience.

28 But if any man say: This has been sacrificed to idols, do not eat of it for his sake that told it, and for conscience’ sake.

But if someone tells you, “This food has been sacrificed to idols,” don't eat it for the sake of the one who mentioned it and for conscience' sake.

29 Conscience, I say, not thy own, but the other’s. For why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience?

His conscience I mean, not yours. For why should my freedom be determined by someone else's conscience?

30 If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I evil spoken of, for that for which I give thanks?

If I choose to eat with thankfulness, why should I be criticized for eating what I'm thankful to God for?

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do, do all to the glory of God.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, make sure to do everything to the glory of God.

32 Be without offence to the Jews, and to the Gentiles, and to the church of God:

Don't cause offense, whether it's to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—

33 As I also in all things please all men, not seeking that which is profitable to myself, but to many, that may be saved.

just as I try to please everybody in all I do. I don't think of what benefits me, but what benefits others, so that they may be saved.