For (A)whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

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For it is written in the Law of Moses: “(A)You shall not muzzle the ox while it is threshing.” God is not concerned about (B)oxen, is He? 10 Or is He speaking entirely for our sake? Yes, it was written (C)for our sake, because (D)the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher to thresh in hope of sharing in the crops. 11 (E)If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you? 12 If others share the right over you, do we not more? Nevertheless, we (F)did not use this right, but we endure all things (G)so that we will cause no hindrance to the (H)gospel of Christ. 13 (I)Do you not know that those who (J)perform sacred services eat the food of the temple, and those who attend regularly to the altar have their share [a]from the altar? 14 So also (K)the Lord directed those who proclaim the (L)gospel to (M)get their living from the gospel.

15 But I have (N)used none of these things. And I have not written these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than that. No one shall make (O)my boast an empty one! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for (P)I am under compulsion; for woe to me if I do not preach (Q)the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a (R)reward; but if against my will, I have been entrusted with a (S)commission nonetheless. 18 What, then, is my (T)reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel (U)without charge, so as (V)not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

19 For though I am (W)free from all people, I have made myself (X)a slave to all, so that I may (Y)gain more. 20 (Z)To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the Law, I became as one under the Law, though (AA)not being under the Law myself, so that I might gain those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are (AB)without the Law, I became (AC)as one without the Law, though not being without the law of God but (AD)under the law of Christ, so that I might gain those who are without the Law. 22 To the (AE)weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak; I have become (AF)all things to all people, (AG)so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.

24 (AH)Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives (AI)the prize? (AJ)Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who (AK)competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable (AL)wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I (AM)run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as [b]to avoid (AN)hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline (AO)my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:13 Lit with
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:26 Lit not hitting

11 Now these things happened to them as an (A)example, and (B)they were written for our instruction, upon whom (C)the ends of the ages have come.

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16 (A)All Scripture is [a]inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for [b]rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that (B)the man or woman of God may be [c]fully capable, (C)equipped for every good work.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Timothy 3:16 Lit God-breathed
  2. 2 Timothy 3:16 Or reprimand
  3. 2 Timothy 3:17 Or proficient

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