1 Corinthians 9:24–10:13

²⁴Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives ^sthe prize? So ^trun that you may obtain it. ²⁵Every ^uathlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we ^van imperishable. ²⁶So I do not run aimlessly; I ^wdo not box as one ^xbeating the air. ²⁷But I discipline my body and ^ykeep it under control,² lest after preaching to others ^zI myself should be ^adisqualified.

Warning Against Idolatry

10For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers,¹ that our fathers were all under ^bthe cloud, and all ^cpassed through the sea, ²and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, ³and ^dall ate the same ^espiritual food, ⁴and ^fall 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 ^gthey were overthrown² in the wilderness.

⁶Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as ^hthey did. ⁷ⁱDo not be idolaters ^jas some of them were; as it is written, ^k“The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” ^8lWe must not indulge in sexual immorality ^mas some of them did, and ⁿtwenty-three thousand fell in a single day. ⁹We must not put Christ³ to the test, ^oas some of them did and ^pwere destroyed by serpents, ¹⁰nor grumble, ^qas some of them did and ^rwere destroyed by ^sthe Destroyer. ¹¹Now these things happened to them as an example, but ^tthey were written down for our instruction, ^uon whom the end of the ages has come. ¹²Therefore ^vlet anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. ¹³No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. ^wGod is faithful, and ^xhe 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.