⁹ It was ^(A)not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves ^(B)an example to imitate.

⁷ For you yourselves know ^(A)how you ought to imitate us, because ^(B)we were not idle when we were with you,

^4 (A)Do we not have the right to eat and drink? ^5 (B)Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife,^[a] as do the other apostles and ^(C)the brothers of the Lord and ^(D)Cephas? ⁶ Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? ^7 (E)Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? ^(F)Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

⁸ Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses, ^(G)“You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? ¹⁰ Does he not certainly speak for our sake? It was written ^(H)for our sake, because ^(I)the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of sharing in the crop. ^11 (J)If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? ¹² If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even more?

Nevertheless, ^(K)we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything ^(L)rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that ^(M)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 ^(N)those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

^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.

^6 (A)Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches.

²¹ For ^(A)to this you have been called, ^(B)because Christ also suffered for you, ^(C)leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

¹⁵ For I have given you an example, ^(A)that you also should do just as I have done to you.

¹⁰ no bag for your journey, or two tunics^[a] or sandals or a staff, for ^(A)the laborer deserves his food.