 1 Now I do not want you to be ignorant~, family+. All of our fathers were under the cloud and all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food+. 4 They all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ. 5 But God was not well pleased with many of them. For they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6 Now these things are our examples to the intent we should not lust after evil things as they lusted. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were. As it is written: The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play. Exodus 32:6 8 Do not let us commit fornication as some of them committed and in one day twenty three thousand fell. 9 Do not let us test+ Christ as some of them tested+ God and were destroyed by serpents. 10 Do not complain+ as some of them complained+ and were destroyed by the Destroyer~. 11 Now all these things happened to them for examples to us. They were written for our admonition. For upon us the end of the world has come. 12 Therefore let those who think that they stand take heed lest they fall. 13 There has no trial+ taken you but such as is common to man. But God is faithful. He will not allow+ you to be tested+ beyond+ what you are able to withstand. But He will, with the trial+, also make a way to escape so that you may be able to bear it. 14 Therefore my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For we, being many, are one bread~ and one body. For we are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel according+ to the flesh. Are not those who eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? 19 What shall I say, then? That the idol is anything or what is offered in sacrifice to idols is anything? 20 Rather, I say that the things that the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons+ and not to God. I would not allow that you should have fellowship with demons+. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons+. You cannot be partakers of the Lord's table and of the table of demons+. 22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He? 23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient. All things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify. 24 Let no one seek their own, but let each one+ seek other's well being. 25 Whatever is sold in the market+, eat it asking no question for conscience sake. 26 For the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Psalm 24:1 27 If any of those who do not believe invite+ you to a feast and you are inclined+ to go, then eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for conscience sake. 28 But if anyone says to you: This was offered in sacrifice to an idol, then do not eat it because of that one who declared+ this and for their conscience. For the Earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof. Psalm 24:1 29 By conscience, I do not speak of your own but of others'. For why is my liberty judged by another's conscience? 30 For if by grace I am a partaker, then why am I blasphemed+ for that for which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, if you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Do not offend+ anyone, not the Jews or the Gentiles~ or those called+ by God. 33 Do even as I do. Please all people in all things, not seeking my own benefit+ but the benefit of many so that they may be saved.
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