1 Corinthians 9:13-27

English Standard Version

¹³ Do you not know that ^(A)those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord commanded that ^(B)those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

¹⁵ But ^(C)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 ^(D)deprive me of my ground for boasting. ¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For ^(E)necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with ^(F)a stewardship. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? That in my preaching ^(G)I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

¹⁹ For ^(H)though I am free from all, ^(I)I have made myself a servant to all, that I might ^(J)win more of them. ^20 (K)To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. ²¹ To ^(L)those outside the law I became ^(M)as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but ^(N)under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. ^22 (O)To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. ^(P)I have become all things to all people, that ^(Q)by all means I might save some. ²³ I do it all for the sake of the gospel, ^(R)that I may share with them in its blessings.

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives ^(S)the prize? So ^(T)run that you may obtain it. ²⁵ Every ^(U)athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we ^(V)an imperishable. ²⁶ So I do not run aimlessly; I ^(W)do not box as one ^(X)beating the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and ^(Y)keep it under control,^[a] lest after preaching to others ^(Z)I myself should be ^(AA)disqualified.