1 Corinthians 9:24-10:14

English Standard Version

²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives ^(A)the prize? So ^(B)run that you may obtain it. ²⁵Every ^(C)athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we ^(D)an imperishable. ²⁶So I do not run aimlessly; I ^(E)do not box as one ^(F)beating the air. ²⁷But I discipline my body and ^(G)keep it under control,^[a] lest after preaching to others ^(H)I myself should be ^(I)disqualified.

Warning Against Idolatry

10 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,^[b] that our fathers were all under ^(J)the cloud, and all ^(K)passed through the sea, ²and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ³and ^(L)all ate the same ^(M)spiritual food, ⁴and ^(N)all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. ⁵Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for ^(O)they were overthrown^[c] in the wilderness.

⁶Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as ^(P)they did. ⁷^(Q)Do not be idolaters ^(R)as some of them were; as it is written, ^(S)“The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” ⁸^(T)We must not indulge in sexual immorality ^(U)as some of them did, and ^(V)twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. ⁹We must not put Christ^[d] to the test, ^(W)as some of them did and ^(X)were destroyed by serpents, ¹⁰nor grumble, ^(Y)as some of them did and ^(Z)were destroyed by ^(AA)the Destroyer. ¹¹Now these things happened to them as an example, but ^(AB)they were written down for our instruction, ^(AC)on whom the end of the ages has come. ¹²Therefore ^(AD)let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. ^(AE)God is faithful, and ^(AF)he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.