1 Corinthians 10

1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

I do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea.

2 And were all baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

All were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

3 And all ate the same spiritual food;

and all ate the same spiritual food.

4 And all drank the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

All drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ.

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

But God was not well pleased with most of them, and their corpses were scattered about in the wilderness.

6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

Now these things were examples for us, so we would not long for evil things as they did.

7 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.

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. This is as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.”

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

Let us not commit sexual immorality, as many of them did. In one day, twenty-three thousand people died because of it.

9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents.

Neither let us put Christ to the test, as many of them did and were destroyed by snakes.

10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

Also do not grumble, as many of them did and were destroyed by an angel of death.

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

Now these things happened to them as examples for us. They were written for our instruction—for us on whom the end of the ages has come. (aiōn g165)

12 Therefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall.

13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to all humanity. Instead, God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. With the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, so that you may be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Therefore, my loved ones, run away from idolatry.

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

I speak to you as people who have understanding, so you may judge what I say.

16 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?

The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

Because there is one loaf of bread, we who are many are one body. We all take of one loaf of bread together.

18 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

Look at the people of Israel. Are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?

19 What then do I say? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

What am I saying then? That an idol is anything? Or that food sacrificed to an idol is anything?

20 But 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 fellowship with demons.

But I say about the things the Gentile pagans sacrifice, that they offer these things to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons!

21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord’s table, and of the table of demons.

You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot have fellowship at the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he is?

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

“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” but not everything builds people up.

24 Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s good.

No one should seek his own good. Instead, each one should seek the good of his neighbor.

25 Whatever is sold in the meat market, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

You may eat whatever is sold in the market, without questions of conscience.

26 For the earth is the Lord’s, and all it containeth.

For “the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness of it.”

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

If an unbeliever invites you to eat a meal, and you wish to go, eat whatever is set before you without asking questions of conscience.

28 But if any man shall say to you, This is offered in sacrifice to idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and all it containeth:

But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience—

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

the conscience of the other man, I mean, and not yours. For why should my freedom be judged by another's conscience?

30 For if I by grace am a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

If I partake of the meal with gratitude, why am I being insulted for that for which I gave thanks?

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

32 Give no offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks, or to the church of God.

33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

I try to please all people in all things. I do not seek my benefit, but that of the many. I do this so that they may be saved.