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

⁹ For you remember, brethren, our ^(A)labor and toil; for laboring night and day, ^(B)that we might not be a burden to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

^12 (A)And we labor, working with our own hands. ^(B)Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

⁸ nor did we eat anyone’s bread ^[a]free of charge, but worked with ^(A)labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, ⁹ not because we do not have ^(B)authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us.

⁹ And when I was present with you, and in need, ^(A)I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked ^(B)the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself.

¹³ For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

⁷ Did I commit sin in ^[a]humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you ^(A)free of charge?

⁶ Or is it only Barnabas and I ^(A)who have no right to refrain from working? ⁷ Who ever ^(B)goes to war at his own expense? Who ^(C)plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who ^(D)tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

⁸ Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? ⁹ For it is written in the law of Moses, ^(E)“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? ¹⁰ Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that ^(F)he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. ^11 (G)If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? ¹² If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

^(H)Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things ^(I)lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.

^34 [a]Yes, you yourselves know ^(A)that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. ³⁵ I have shown you in every way, ^(B)by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”