¹⁹ Again, do you think that we are excusing ourselves to you? In the sight of God we speak in Christ. But all things, beloved, are for your edifying.

¹ I tell the truth in Christ. I am not lying, my conscience testifying with me in the Holy Spirit,

⁸ For though I should boast somewhat abundantly concerning our authority, (which the Lord gave for building you up, and not for casting you down) I will not be disappointed,

²⁶ What is it then, brothers? When you come together, each one of you has a psalm, has a teaching, has a revelation, has another language, has an interpretation. Let all things be done to build each other up.

¹ Therefore, my brothers, beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.

¹⁰ For this cause I write these things while absent, that I may not deal sharply when present, according to the authority which the Lord gave me for building up, and not for tearing down.

¹⁵ I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls. If I love you more abundantly, am I loved the less?

³¹ The God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, he who is blessed forevermore, knows that I don't lie.

¹⁰ As the truth of Christ is in me, no one will stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia.

¹ Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

¹² For we are not commending ourselves to you again, but speak as giving you occasion of boasting on our behalf, that you may have something to answer those who boast in appearance, and not in heart.

¹³ For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God. Or if we are of sober mind, it is for you.

¹ Are we beginning again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as do some, letters of commendation to you or from you?

³³ even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.

¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

¹² If others partake of this right over you, don't we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right, but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the Gospel of Christ.

¹³ Don't you know that those who serve around sacred things eat from the things of the temple, and those who wait on the altar have their portion with the altar?

¹⁴ Even so the Lord ordained that those who proclaim the Gospel should live from the Gospel.

¹⁵ But I have used none of these things, and I don't write these things that it may be done so in my case; for I would rather die, than that anyone should make my boasting void.

¹⁶ For if I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to boast about; for necessity is laid on me; but woe is to me, if I don't preach the Gospel.

¹⁷ For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward. But if not of my own will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me.

¹⁸ What then is my reward? That, when I preach the Gospel, I may present the Gospel of Christ without charge, so as not to abuse my authority in the Gospel.

¹⁹ For though I was free from all, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.

²⁰ To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law;

²¹ to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law.

²² To the weak I became as weak, that I might gain the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.

²³ Now I do this for the Gospel's sake, that I may be a joint partaker of it.

¹⁹ Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord."