Brothers, I do not want you to be unaware that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2and were all baptized into Musa in the cloud and in the sea; 3and all ate the same spiritual food; 4and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was al-Masih. 5However with most of them, Allah was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness. 6Now these things are examples to us, so that we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. 7Neither be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.“[1] 8Neither let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them committed, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell. 9Neither let us test the Lord, as some of them tested him, and were killed by the snakes. 10Neither grumble, as some of them also grumbled, and were killed by the destroying angel. 11Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 12Therefore let him who thinks he stands be careful that he does not fall.
13No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. Allah is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 14Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15I speak as to wise men. Judge what I say. 16The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of al-Masih? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of al-Masih? 17Because we, who are many, are one bread, one body; for we all partake of the one bread.18Consider Israel after the flesh. Do not those who eat the sacrifices share in the altar?
19What am I saying then? That a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20But I say that the things which the disbelievers sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to Allah, and I do not desire that you would share with demons. 21You cannot both drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot both partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. 22Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? 23“All things are lawful for me,“ but not all things are profitable. “All things are lawful for me,“ but not all things build up. 24Let no one seek his own, but each one his neighbour’s good. 25Whatever is sold in the butcher shop, eat, asking no question for the sake of conscience, 26for “the earth is Allah’s, and its fullness.“[2] 27But if one of those who do not believe invites you to a meal, and you are inclined to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no questions for the sake of conscience. 28But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,“ do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for the sake of conscience. For “the earth is Allah’s, and its fullness.“ 29Conscience, I say, not your own, but the other’s conscience. For why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced for that for which I give thanks? 31Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of Allah. 32Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the congregations of Allah; 33even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.
[1] 10:7 Quoting the Taurat, Exodus 32:6.
[2] 10:26,28 Quoting the Zabur 24:1.