1 Corinthians 9:24–10:13

²⁴Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, ^xbut only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. ^y25Now everyone who competes exercises self-control ^zin everything. However, they do it to receive a crown ^athat will fade away, ^bbut we a crown that will never fade away. ²⁶Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. ²⁷Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified. ^c

Warnings from Israel’s Past

10Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers ^dwere all under the cloud, ^eall passed through the sea, ^f2and all were baptized ^ginto Moses ^hin the cloud and in the sea. ³They all ate the same spiritual food, ⁱ⁴and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock ^jthat followed them, and that rock was Christ. ^k5But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness. ^l

⁶Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire ^mevil things as they did. ^no7Don’t become idolaters ^pas some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play. ^qrs8Let us not commit sexual immorality ^tas some of them did, ^uand in a single day 23,000 people fell dead. ^v9Let us not test Christ as some of them did ^wand were destroyed by snakes. ^x10Nor should we complain ^yas some of them did, ^zaand were killed by the destroyer. ^bc11Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us, ^don whom the ends of the ages ^ehave come. ^f12So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall. ^g13No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful, ^hand 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 ⁱso that you are able to bear it.