Study Desk

And this for your own profit I say: not that I may cast a noose upon you, but for the seemliness and devotedness to the Lord, undistractedly,

for even if there are those called gods, whether in heaven, whether upon earth -- as there are gods many and lords many --

But victuals do not commend us to God, for neither if we may eat are we in advance; nor if we may not eat, are we behind;

for if any one may see thee that hast knowledge in an idol's temple reclining at meat -- shall not his conscience -- he being infirm -- be emboldened to eat the things sacrificed to idols,

if to others I am not an apostle -- yet doubtless to you I am; for the seal of my apostleship are ye in the Lord.

for in the law of Moses it hath been written, `thou shalt not muzzle an ox treading out corn;' for the oxen doth God care?

And I have used none of these things; neither did I write these things that it may be so done in my case, for [it is] good for me rather to die, than that any one may make my glorying void;

for if I may proclaim good news, it is no glorying for me, for necessity is laid upon me, and wo is to me if I may not proclaim good news;

for if willing I do this, I have a reward; and if unwillingly -- with a stewardship I have been entrusted!

for being free from all men, to all men I made myself servant, that the more I might gain;

and all the same spiritual drink did drink, for they were drinking of a spiritual rock following them, and the rock was the Christ;

but in the most of them God was not well pleased, for they were strewn in the wilderness,

and those things became types of us, for our not passionately desiring evil things, as also these did desire.

And all these things as types did happen to those persons, and they were written for our admonition, to whom the end of the ages did come,

No temptation hath taken you -- except human; and God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what ye are able, but He will make, with the temptation, also the outlet, for your being able to bear [it].

because one bread, one body, are we the many -- for we all of the one bread do partake.

for the Lord's [is] the earth, and its fulness;

and if any one may say to you, `This is a thing sacrificed to an idol,' -- do not eat, because of that one who shewed [it], and of the conscience, for the Lord's [is] the earth and its fulness:

and conscience, I say, not of thyself, but of the other, for why [is it] that my liberty is judged by another's conscience?

and if I thankfully do partake, why am I evil spoken of, for that for which I give thanks?