10:1 Now sisters and brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact that all our ancestors were under the cloud, and they all passed through the sea.

10:2 All of them were thereby “immersed” with Moses;

10:3 they all ate the same spiritual food

10:4 and drank the same spiritual drink, which flowed out of the spiritual Rock they followed— and that Rock was the Anointed.

10:5 Yet the majority of them displeased God and they were scattered around in the wilderness.

10:6 Now these things became examples for us so that we would not crave worthless things like they did.

10:7 Don’t become idolaters as some of them did. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and then got up to play.”

10:8 And do not become promiscuous as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand of them died in one day.

10:9 And we must not provoke the Anointed as some of them did, and they were killed by serpents.

10:10 Do not grumble as some of them did, who were wiped out by the Exterminator.

10:11 All of those things happened to them as a warning for us to whom the completion of the ages has come.

10:12 So then, let those who think they stand strong be careful that they don’t fall.

10:13 No trial has come upon you but that which all people experience. But God is faithful; he will not abandon you to be tested beyond your limit but will carry you to safety.

10:14 So, dear ones, run from idolatry.

10:15 Let the sensible ones judge what am saying.

10:16 The cup of blessing we bless— isn’t it partnership with the blood of the Anointed? The bread we break— isn’t it partnership with the body of the Anointed?

10:17 For we who are many are one bread, one body; we all share in that one loaf.

10:18 Look at physical Israel; aren’t those who eat the sacrifices in partnership with the altar?

10:19 Now do you think I’m trying to argue that a sacrifice to an idol is anything, or that the idol is anything?

10:20 Those that they sacrifice to are demons, not God, and I’m certainly not intending for you to become partners with demons!

10:21 You cannot drink the cup of the Master and of demons; you cannot eat at the table of the Master and of demons.

10:22 What?! We would be provoking the Master to jealousy, and we are not stronger than he is!

10:23 “Everything is allowable,” but not everything is a good idea. “Everything is allowable,” but not everything builds you up.

10:24 Don’t only be concerned about your own welfare but also that of others.

10:25 So don’t go to the meat market and start worrying about whether it might violate your conscience; just eat.

10:26 For “The earth is the Master’s, and everything in it.”

10:27 If an unbeliever invites you to eat and you want to go, eat whatever is placed before you and don’t ask questions.

10:28 But if they say to you, “This was offered in sacrifice,” then don’t eat it, for the unbeliever’s sake and for conscience’ sake.

10:29 Now by conscience, I mean that of the other person, not you. After all, why should my freedom be decided by someone else’s conscience?

10:30 If I am partaking with gratitude, why should I be slandered over something I give thanks for?

10:31 So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to honor God.

10:32 Try not to offend Judeans or Greeks or God’s Congregation,

10:33 just as I, in all things, do not seek only my own good but the good of many so that they may be saved.