⁵ because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of persons we proved to be among you for your sake.^(A)

⁷ For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not irresponsible when we were with you,^{(A) 8} and we did not eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day so that we might not burden any of you.^{(B) 9} This was not because we do not have that right but in order to give you an example to imitate.^(C)

²⁰ And they went out and proclaimed the good news everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by the signs that accompanied it.^[a]]]

¹³ We also constantly give thanks to God for this, that when you received the word of God that you heard from us you accepted it not as a human word but as what it really is, God’s word, which is also at work in you believers.^(A)

¹⁴ For this purpose he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(A)

² For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. ³ And I came to you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling. ⁴ My speech and my proclamation were made not with persuasive words of wisdom^[a] but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,^{(A) 5} so that your faith might rest not on human wisdom but on the power of God.

¹² It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in regard to the things that have now been announced to you through those who brought you good news by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look!^(A)

² The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?^{(A) 3} Are you so foolish? Having started with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh?^{(B) 4} Did you experience so much for nothing?—if it really was for nothing.^{(C) 5} Well then, does God^[a] supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?

²⁰ For the kingdom of God depends not on talk but on power.

¹⁸ so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible that God would prove false, we who have taken refuge might be strongly encouraged to seize the hope set before us.^{(A) 19} We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain,^(B)