1 Corinthians 10

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

1I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that all our ancestors were under the protection of the cloud and all passed through the sea.

2and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

2They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

3and did all eat the same spiritual food;

3They all ate the same spiritual food.

4and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.

4They all drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank from a spiritual rock that went with them, and that rock was Christ.

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

5But God was not pleased with most of them, so their bodies were scattered across the wilderness.

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

6Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did.

7Neither 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.

7Do not worship idols, as some of them did. As the Scripture says, 'The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to indulge in pagan celebrations.'

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

8We must not commit sexual sin, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand people died in a single day.

9Neither let us make trial of the Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents.

9We should not test the Lord, as some of them did and were killed by snakes.

10Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer.

10Do not grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the angel of death.

11Now these things happened unto them by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come.

11These things happened to them as examples and were written down to warn us, who live at the end of the ages.

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

12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you do not fall.

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

13No temptation has come your way that is not common to everyone. God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

14Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

14Therefore, my dear friends, run away from the worship of idols.

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

15I am speaking to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I am saying.

16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?

16When we bless the cup of blessing, isn't it a sharing in the blood of Christ? When we break the bread, isn't it a sharing in the body of Christ?

17seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.

17Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, for we all share that one loaf.

18Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

18Consider the people of Israel: Don't those who eat the sacrifices participate in what happens at the altar?

19What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

19What am I saying then? That an idol or food offered to an idol is anything important? No.

20But 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 communion with demons.

20I am saying that the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be partners with demons.

21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

21You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too. You cannot eat at the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

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

22Are we trying to make the Lord jealous? Are we stronger than he is?

23All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.

23Everything is permitted, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permitted, but not everything builds others up.

24Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good.

24No one should look out for their own good, but for the good of others.

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

25Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience.

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

26For the earth and everything in it belong to the Lord.

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

27If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is served to you without raising questions of conscience.

28But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake:

28But if someone says to you, 'This was offered in sacrifice,' then do not eat it, out of respect for the person who told you and for the sake of conscience.

29conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

29I am referring to the other person's conscience, not yours. Why should my freedom be judged by someone else's conscience?

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

30If I eat with thankfulness, why should I be criticized for something I thank God for?

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

31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

32Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:

32Do not cause anyone to stumble—whether Jews, Greeks, or the church of God.

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

33I try to please everyone in every way. I do not seek my own good, but the good of many, so that they may be saved.