10. We must not complain, as some of them did — and they were destroyed by the Angel of Death.
11. All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come.
12. Those who think they are standing firm had better be careful that they do not fall.
13. Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.
14. So then, my dear friends, keep away from the worship of idols.
15. I speak to you as sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.
16. The cup we use in the Lord's Supper and for which we give thanks to God: when we drink from it, we are sharing in the blood of Christ. And the bread we break: when we eat it, we are sharing in the body of Christ.
17. Because there is the one loaf of bread, all of us, though many, are one body, for we all share the same loaf.
18. Consider the people of Israel; those who eat what is offered in sacrifice share in the altar's service to God.
19. Do I imply, then, that an idol or the food offered to it really amounts to anything?
20. No! What I am saying is that what is sacrificed on pagan altars is offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be partners with demons.
21. You cannot drink from the Lord's cup and also from the cup of demons; you cannot eat at the Lord's table and also at the table of demons.
22. Or do we want to make the Lord jealous? Do we think that we are stronger than he?
23. “We are allowed to do anything,” so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. “We are allowed to do anything” — but not everything is helpful.
24. None of you should be looking to your own interests, but to the interests of others.
25. You are free to eat anything sold in the meat market, without asking any questions because of your conscience.