¹⁷ The elders^(A) who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,^(B) especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

¹⁷ Have confidence in your leaders^(A) and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you^(B) as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.

Final Instructions

¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard^(A) among you, who care for you in the Lord^(B) and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.^(C)

⁶ Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.^(A)

⁷ Remember your leaders,^(A) who spoke the word of God^(B) to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate^(C) their faith.

²⁹ So then, welcome him in the Lord with great joy, and honor people like him,^(A)

⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement;^(A) if it is giving, then give generously;^(B) if it is to lead,^[a] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

⁷ Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages.^(A) Do not move around from house to house.

⁶ The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.^(A)

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} Or is it only I and Barnabas^(D) who lack the right to not work for a living?

⁷ Who serves as a soldier^(E) at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard^(F) and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? ⁸ Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”^[b](G) Is it about oxen that God is concerned?^{(H) 10} Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,^(I) because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.^{(J) 11} If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?^{(K) 12} If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?