Study Desk

Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers^(a) were all under the cloud,^(b) all passed through the sea,^(c)

and all were baptized^(d) into Moses^(e) in the cloud and in the sea.

They all ate the same spiritual food,^(f)

and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock^(g) that followed them, and that rock was Christ.^(h)

But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.⁽ⁱ⁾

Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire^(j) evil things as they did.^[a](k)

Don't become idolaters^(l) as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play. ^[b](m)[c]

Let us not commit sexual immorality⁽ⁿ⁾ as some of them did,^[d] and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead.^(o)

Let us not test Christ as some of them did^[e] and were destroyed by snakes.^(p)

Nor should we complain^(q) as some of them did,^[f](r) and were killed by the destroyer.^[g](s)

Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us,^(t) on whom the ends of the ages^(u) have come.^(v)

So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.^(w)

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful,^(x) and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape^(y) so that you are able to bear it.

Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

I am speaking as to wise people. Judge for yourselves what I say.

The cup^(z) of blessing^(aa) that we give thanks for, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread^(ab) that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ?

Because there is one bread, we who are many are one^(ac) body, for all of us share that one bread.

Look at the people of Israel.^[h] Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in what is offered on the altar?^(ad)