⁹ For you remember, brothers, ^(A)our labor and toil: we ^(B)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 For you yourselves know ^(A)how you ought to imitate us, because ^(B)we were not idle when we were with you, ⁸ nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but ^(C)with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you. ⁹ It was ^(D)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves ^(E)an example to imitate.

⁹ And when I was with you and was ^(A)in need, ^(B)I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia ^(C)supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain ^(D)from burdening you in any way.

³ and ^(A)because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

¹³ For in what were you less favored than the rest of the churches, except that ^(A)I myself did not burden you? Forgive me this wrong!

¹⁴ Here ^(B)for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden, for ^(C)I seek not what is yours but you. For ^(D)children are not obligated to save up for their parents, but ^(E)parents for their children.

Guard the Deposit Entrusted to You

^3 (A)I thank God ^(B)whom I serve, as did my ancestors, ^(C)with a clear conscience, as I remember you ^(D)constantly in my prayers night and day.

¹⁰ For to this end we toil and strive,^[a] because we have our hope set on the living God, ^(A)who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

^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.

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.