¹² If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?

Nevertheless, ^(A)we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything ^(B)rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.

¹² And what I am doing I will continue to do, ^(A)in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.

¹⁸ What then is my reward? That in my preaching ^(A)I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

¹⁵ But ^(A)I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone ^(B)deprive me of my ground for boasting.

^6 (A)Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, ^(B)though we could have made ^(C)demands as ^(D)apostles of Christ. ⁷ But we were ^(E)gentle^[a] among you, ^(F)like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. ⁸ So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God ^(G)but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

⁹ For you remember, brothers, ^(H)our labor and toil: we ^(I)worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.

⁷ Or ^(A)did I commit a sin in humbling myself so that you might be exalted, because ^(B)I preached God's gospel to you free of charge? ⁸ I robbed other churches by accepting support from them in order to serve you. ⁹ And when I was with you and was ^(C)in need, ^(D)I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia ^(E)supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain ^(F)from burdening you in any way. ^10 (G)As the truth of Christ is in me, this boasting of mine ^(H)will not be silenced in the regions of Achaia.

⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but ^(A)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was ^(B)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves ^(C)an example to imitate.

²⁰ For you bear it if someone ^(A)makes slaves of you, or ^(B)devours you, or takes advantage of you, or puts on airs, or ^(C)strikes you in the face.

³ We ^(A)put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,