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!

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.

⁶ Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?

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

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.

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. ¹⁶ For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For ^(C)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 ^(D)a stewardship. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? That in my preaching ^(E)I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.