Letters to the Churches

Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?

seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.

Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons.

Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.

Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify.

Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good.

Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake;

for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof.

If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake.

But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake:

conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience?

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God:

even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head.

But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven.