| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | New Living Translation |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven’t I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn’t it because of my work that you belong to the Lord? |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord’s apostle. |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3This is my answer to those who question my authority. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4Don’t we have the right to live in your homes and share your meals? |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5Don’t we have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers do, and as Peter does? |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves? |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and doesn’t have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and isn’t allowed to drink some of the milk? |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing? |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9For the law of Moses says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was God thinking only about oxen when he said this? |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Wasn’t he actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, aren’t we entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink? |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12If you support others who preach to you, shouldn’t we have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Good News about Christ. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13Don’t you realize that those who work in the temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn’t preach the Good News! |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for God has given me this sacred trust. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Good News without charging anyone. That’s why I never demand my rights when I preach the Good News. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified. |
| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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