²⁷ “But so that we may not cause offense,^(A) go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Paul’s Hardships

³ We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path,^(A) so that our ministry will not be discredited.

⁹ For you know the grace^(A) of our Lord Jesus Christ,^(B) that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor,^(C) so that you through his poverty might become rich.^(D)

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹ Though I am free^(A) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,^(B) to win as many as possible.^{(C) 20} To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.^(D) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),^(E) so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law^(F) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),^(G) so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.^(H) I have become all things to all people^(I) so that by all possible means I might save some.^(J)

⁹ Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block^(A) to the weak.^(B)

¹³ Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.^(A)

15 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak^(A) and not to please ourselves. ² Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,^(B) to build them up.^{(C) 3} For even Christ did not please himself^(D) but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”^[a](E)

²¹ It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.^(A)

Jonah’s Prayer

¹⁷ Now the Lord provided^(A) a huge fish to swallow Jonah,^(B) and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.