1Moreover, brethren, I want you to know that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; 2and all were immersed by Moshe, both in the cloud and in the sea; 3and all ate the same spiritual food; 4and all drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them; and that Rock was Mashi’akh. 5But with many of them Elohim was not well pleased; for they were smitten in the wilderness.
6But they became an example to us, so that we should not covet evil things as they did covet. 7Neither should we become idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8Neither should we commit harlotry, as some of them committed; for in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead. 9Neither should we test Mashi’akh, as some of them tested Him; for they were destroyed by serpents. 10Neither should you murmur, as some of them murmured; for they were destroyed by the hand of the destroyer. 11Now all of these things which happened to them are an example for us; and they are written for our admonition, for the fulfillment of the ages has come in our time. 12Therefore let him who thinks he is able to stand take heed so that he may not fall. 13No other temptation has overtaken you but that which is common to man; but Elohim is faithful; He will not suffer you to be tempted beyond your endurance; but will make a way for you to escape your temptation, so that you may be able to bear it. 14Therefore, my beloved, keep away from idolatry.
15I speak as to wise men; you are able to judge what I say. 16The cup of thanksgiving which we bless, is it not the fellowship of the Blood of Mashi’akh? The bread which we break, is it not the fellowship of the Body of Mashi’akh? 17For just as the loaf of bread is one, so we are all one body; for we are all partakers of that one bread. 18Behold, Yisra’el, whose observance is after the flesh; do not those who eat the sacrifices become partakers of the Mizbe’akh? 19What, then, do I say? That the idol is anything, or that the sacrifice to idols is anything? No. 20But what the pagans sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils and not to Elohim; and I would not have you in fellowship with devils. 21You cannot drink the cup of Adoneinu and the cup of devils; you cannot be partakers of the Shulkhan Adoneinu and of the table of devils. 22Are we trying to provoke Adoneinu to anger? Are we stronger than He?
23Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is expedient; everything is permissible for me, but everything does not edify. 24But let no man seek for himself alone, but let every man seek for his neighbor also. 25Anything for sale in the market place you can eat without question for the sake of conscience; 26for the earth belongs to יהוה , and the fullness thereof. 27If any pagan man should invite you, and you wish to go, whatever is set before you eat without question for the sake of conscience. 28But if any man says to you, “This has been offered as a sacrifice,” then do not eat it, for the sake of him who told you and for the sake of conscience. 29But the conscience of which I speak is not yours, but the conscience of him who told you; for why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30For if I am made worthy by thanksgiving, why should I be reproached for that for which I give thanks? 31Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to glorify Elohim. 32Give no offense, neither to the Yehudim, nor to the Arame’ans, nor to the assembly of Elohim; 33just as I please all men in all things, not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may have life.
Coming Soon! We are working daily on translating the remainder of the Brit Khadashah from Aramaic to Hebrew. Check back soon for this chapter’s Hebrew version!
D'var יהוה , The Word of יהוה 