1 Brothers, I do not want you to remain uninformed: all our fathers were under the cloud {nephele: divine presence covering}, and all of them went through the sea {thalassa: symbolic barrier}.
2 In the cloud {nephele: guiding presence} and in the sea, all were baptized into Moses {Mouses: covenant mediator}.
3 And they all ate the same {auto: identical in kind} spiritual food {broma: divinely provided nourishment}.
4 All of them drank the same spiritual drink {poma: spiritually sustaining provision}, because they were drinking from a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ {Christos, Covenant Nourisher}.
5 Yet God {Theos, Sovereign Judge} was not pleased with most of them, and they were laid low in the wilderness {eremos: desolate region}.
6 These things became examples {typoi: warning patterns} for us, so that we would not be desirers of evil things {epithymetas: driven by craving}, as they also desired.
7 Do not become idolaters {eidololatrai: devoted image worshipers} as some of them did; for it is written, “The people sat down to eat and to drink, and they rose up to play {paizein: revel in idolatry}.”
8 Let us not commit sexual immorality {porneuomen: ongoing impurity}, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day {hemera: single occasion}.
9 And let us not put Christ {Christos, Covenant Lord} to the test, as some of them tested Him, and they were destroyed by serpents {opheon: judgment snakes}.
10 Nor should you grumble {gongyzete: mutter in protest}, just as some of them grumbled and were destroyed by the Destroyer {olothreutes: agent of judgment}.
11 Now these things were happening to them as types and were recorded for our admonition {noutheesia: correction or warning}, for those to whom the ends of the ages {aionon: epochs or world-periods} have come.
12 Therefore, the one who thinks {dokon: assumes security} he stands should take heed {blepeto: stay spiritually alert}, so that he does not fall.
13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is human, but God {Theos, Faithful Protector} is faithful. He will not permit you to be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape so that you may endure {hypenegkein: bear up under} it.
14 Therefore {dioper: for this reason}, my beloved, depart {pheugete: urgently retreat} from idolatry.
15 I am addressing prudent individuals {phronimois: morally discerning}; you yourselves pass judgment {krinate: carefully evaluate} on what I declare.
16 The cup of blessing which we bless— is it not a participation in the blood of Christ {Christos, Sacrificial Redeemer}? And the bread which we break— is it not a participation in the body {soma: Covenant Gift} of Christ?
17 Because there is one bread {artos: shared loaf}, we who are many are one body {soma: unified community}, since we all partake from the one bread.
18 Consider Israel {Israel: Covenant Nation} according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar {thysiastērion: sacrificial platform}?
19 What then am I saying? That an idol-sacrifice {eidolothyton: offering made to idols} matters at all, or that an idol {eidolon: deceptive deity-image} is anything?
20 Rather, the sacrifices they make are offered to demons rather than to God {Theos, Only Worthy Recipient}; and I do not want you to become participants {koinonos: joint worshipers} with demons.
21 You are not able to drink the cup of the Lord {Kyrios, Covenant Table Host} and the cup of demons {daimonion: spiritual adversaries}; you are not able to partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.
22 Or do we provoke the Lord {Kyrios, Jealous Protector} to jealousy? We are not stronger {ischyroteros: possessing greater power} than Him, are we?
23 All things are permitted, but not all things are beneficial {sympherei: truly advantageous}. All things are permitted, but not all things build up {oikodomei: promote spiritual growth}.
24 Let no one pursue his own {heautou: belonging to oneself} advantage, but rather the advantage of another {heterou: someone else’s}.
25 Consume all that is sold in the meat market {makello: meat-selling place}, asking no questions for the sake of conscience {syneidesis: inner moral awareness}.
26 For the earth is the Lord’s {Kyrios, Sovereign Owner}, and its fullness {pleroma: all that fills}.
27 If any of the unbelievers invites you and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions {anakrino: investigative doubts} for the sake of conscience {syneidesis: moral awareness}.
28 But if someone says to you, “This is a thing offered to idols {hierothyton: idolatrous sacrifice},” do not eat it for the sake of the one who informed you and for the sake of the conscience {syneidesin: inner moral sense}.
29 But I am speaking about conscience {syneidesis: inner moral awareness}—not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty {eleutheria: freedom to act} judged by another conscience?
30 If I partake by grace {chariti: divine favor}, why am I spoken against for that for which I give thanks {eucharisto: express gratitude}?
31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory {doxan: praise and honor} of God {Theos, Worthy Recipient of Honor}.
32 Be inoffensive {aproskopoi: not causing stumbling} toward Jews, to Greeks, and to the church of God {Theos, Lord of the Church}.
33 Just as I also strive to please all people in every respect, not seeking my own benefit {symphoron: personal gain} but the good of many {pollon: larger group}, in order that they may be saved.