010:008 Nor may we be fornicators, like some of them who committed fornication and on a single day 23,000 of them fell dead. 010:009 And do not let us test the Lord too far, as some of them tested Him and were destroyed by the serpents. 010:010 And do not be discontented, as some of them were, and they were destroyed by the Destroyer. 010:011 All this kept happening to them with a figurative meaning; but it was put on record by way of admonition to us upon whom the ends of the Ages have come. 010:012 So then let him who thinks he is standing securely beware of falling. 010:013 No temptation has you in its power but such as is common to human nature; and God is faithful and will not allow you to be tempted beyond your strength. But, when the temptation comes, He will also provide the way of escape; so that you may be able to bear it. 010:014 Therefore, my dear friends, avoid all connection with the worship of idols. 010:015 I speak as to men of sense: judge for yourselves of what I say. 010:016 The cup of blessing, which we bless, does it not mean a joint-participation in the blood of Christ? The loaf of bread which we break, does it not mean a joint-participation in the body of Christ? 010:017 Since there is one loaf, we who are many are one body; we, all of us, share in that one loaf. 010:018 Look at the Israelites--the nation and their ritual. Are not those who eat the sacrifices joint-partakers in the altar? 010:019 Do I mean that a thing sacrificed to an idol is what it claims to be, or that an idol is a real thing? 010:020 No, but that which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, not to God; and I would not have you have fellowship with one another through the demons. 010:021 You cannot drink the Lord's cup and the cup of demons: you cannot be joint-partakers both in the table of the Lord and in the table of demons. 010:022 Or are we actually arousing the Lord to jealousy. Are we stronger than He is? 010:023 Everything is allowable, but not everything is profitable. Everything is allowable, but everything does not build others up. 010:024 Let no one be for ever seeking his own good, but let each seek that of his fellow man. 010:025 Anything that is for sale in the meat market, eat, and ask no questions for conscience' sake; 010:026 for the earth is the Lord's, and all that it contains. 010:027 If an unbeliever gives you an invitation and you are disposed to accept it, eat whatever is put before you, and ask no questions for conscience' sake. 010:028 But if any one tells you, "This food has been offered in sacrifice;" abstain from eating it--out of respect for him who warned you, and, as before, for conscience' sake.