¹⁶ Instead,^(A) I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work; we^[a] did not acquire any land.

⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good,^(A) for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.^(B)

⁵ You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(A)—God is our witness.^{(B) 6} We were not looking for praise from people,^(C) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(D) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^(E)

²⁰ I have no one else like him,^(A) who will show genuine concern for your welfare. ²¹ For everyone looks out for their own interests,^(B) not those of Jesus Christ.

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,^(A) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.^(B)

³³ I have not coveted anyone’s silver or gold or clothing.^{(A) 34} You yourselves know that these hands of mine have supplied my own needs and the needs of my companions.^{(B) 35} In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

¹⁶ Be that as it may, I have not been a burden to you.^(A) Yet, crafty fellow that I am, I caught you by trickery! ¹⁷ Did I exploit you through any of the men I sent to you? ¹⁸ I urged^(B) Titus^(C) to go to you and I sent our brother^(D) with him. Titus did not exploit you, did he? Did we not walk in the same footsteps by the same Spirit?

⁷ To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor^(A) and immortality,^(B) he will give eternal life.^(C)

¹⁵ But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.