¹⁸ What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,^(A) and so not make full use of my rights^(B) as a preacher of the gospel.

⁶ We were not looking for praise from people,^(A) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(B) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^(C)

⁷ Was it a sin^(A) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God^(B) to you free of charge?^{(C) 8} I robbed other churches by receiving support from them^(D) so as to serve you. ⁹ And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.^(E) I have kept myself from being a burden to you^(F) in any way, and will continue to do so.

⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked^(A) night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help,^(B) but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you to imitate.^(C)

⁵ For what we preach is not ourselves,^(A) but Jesus Christ as Lord,^(B) and ourselves as your servants^(C) for Jesus’ sake.