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;

For I would have you remember, brethren, how our forefathers were all of them sheltered by the cloud, and all got safely through the Red Sea.

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

All were baptized in the cloud and in the sea to be followers of Moses.

3 And all ate the same spiritual food;

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.

and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they long drank the water that flowed from the spiritual rock that went with them--and that rock was the Christ.

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

But with most of them God was not well pleased; for they were laid low in the Desert.

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

And in this they became a warning to us, to teach us not to be eager, as they were eager, in pursuit of what is evil.

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.

And you must not be worshippers of idols, as some of them were. For it is written, "The People sat down to eat and drink, and stood up to dance."

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

Nor may we be fornicators, like some of them who committed fornication and on a single day 23,000 of them fell dead.

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

And do not let us test the Lord too far, as some of them tested Him and were destroyed by the serpents.

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

And do not be discontented, as some of them were, and they were destroyed by the Destroyer.

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)

All this kept happening to them with a figurative meaning; but it was put on record by way of admonition to us upon whom the ends of the Ages have come. (aiōn g165)

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

So then let him who thinks he is standing securely beware of falling.

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 you in its power but such as is common to human nature; and God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. But, when the temptation comes, He will also provide the way of escape; so that you may be able to bear it.

14 Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

Therefore, my dear friends, avoid all connection with the worship of idols.

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

I speak as to men of sense: judge for yourselves of 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, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we break, does it not mean a joint-participation 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.

Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; we, all of us, share in that one loaf.

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

Look at the Israelites--the nation and their ritual. Are not those who eat the sacrifices joint-partakers 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?

Do I mean that a thing sacrificed to an idol is what it claims to be, or that an idol is a real thing?

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.

No, but that which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, not to God; and I would not have you have fellowship with one another through the 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 Lord's cup and the cup of demons: you cannot be joint-partakers both in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons.

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

Or are we actually arousing 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 allowable, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable, but everything does not build others up.

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

Let no one be for ever seeking his own good, but let each seek that of his fellow man.

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

Anything that is for sale in the meat market, eat, and ask no questions for conscience' sake;

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

for the earth is the Lord's, and all that it contains.

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 gives you an invitation and you are disposed to accept it, eat whatever is put before you, and ask no questions for conscience' sake.

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 any one tells you, "This food has been offered in sacrifice;" abstain from eating it--out of respect for him who warned you, and, as before, for conscience' sake.

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

But now I mean his conscience, not your own. "Why, on what ground," you may object, "is the question of my liberty of action to be decided by a conscience not my own?

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

If, so far as I am concerned, I partake with a grateful heart, why am I to be found fault with in regard to a thing for which I give thanks?"

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

Whether, then, you are eating or drinking, or whatever you are doing, let everything be done to the glory of God.

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

Do not be causes of stumbling either to Jews or to Gentiles, nor 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.

That is the way that I also seek in everything the approval of all men, not aiming at my own profit, but at that of the many, in the hope that they may be saved.