⁷ I wish that all of you were as I am.^(A) But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.^(B)

¹¹ Jesus replied, “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.^{(A) 12} For there are eunuchs who were born that way, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”

⁵ Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife^(A) along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers^(B) and Cephas^[a]?^(C)

⁶ We have different gifts,^(A) according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying,^(B) then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith;^(C)

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit^(A) distributes them.

⁸ Now to the unmarried^[a] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.^(A)

¹¹ All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^(A) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

²⁹ Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”^(A)

¹⁵ But I have not used any of these rights.^(A) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.^(B)