²⁷ However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.”^(A)

³ We are putting no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry,^(A)

⁹ For you know the generous act^[a] of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich.^(A)

¹⁹ For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might gain all the more.^{(A) 20} To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to gain Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might gain those under the law. ²¹ To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not outside God’s law but am within Christ’s law) so that I might gain those outside the law.^{(B) 22} To the weak I became weak, so that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.

⁹ But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.^(A)

¹³ Therefore, if food is a cause of their falling, I will never again eat meat, so that I may not cause one of them to fall.^(A)

Please Others, Not Yourselves

15 We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves.^{(A) 2} Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.^{(B) 3} For Christ did not please himself, but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

²¹ it is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that makes your brother or sister stumble.^[a](A)

^17 [a]But the Lord provided a large fish to swallow up Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.^(A)