(KJV) 1 Corinthians 9¹

⥃The Rights of an Apostle ^{[ Deuteronomy 18:1–8 ]}

[1] Am I not an² apostle? am I not free³? have⁴ I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are⁵ not ye my work in the Lord? [2] If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for⁶ the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. [3] Mine answer⁷ to them⁸ that do examine me is this, [4] Have we⁹ not power to eat and to drink? [5] Have we not power to lead¹⁰ about a sister¹¹, a wife¹², as well as other apostles, and [as] the brethren¹³ of the Lord, and Cephas¹⁴? [6] Or I only and Barnabas¹⁵, have¹⁶ not we power to forbear working? [7] Who goeth¹⁷ a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth¹⁸ a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or¹⁹ who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk²⁰ of the flock? [8] Say I these things as²¹ a man? or²² saith not the law the same also? [9] For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou²³ shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth²⁴ God take care for oxen? [10] Or saith he [it] altogether for²⁵ our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, [this] is written: that he that ploweth²⁶ should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. [11] If we have sown²⁷ unto you spiritual things, [is it] a great²⁸ thing if we shall reap your carnal things? [12] If others²⁹ be partakers of [this] power over you, [are] not³⁰ we rather? Nevertheless³¹ we have not used this power; but³² suffer all things, lest we should hinder³³ the gospel of Christ. [13] Do ye not know that they³⁴ which minister about holy things live³⁵ [of the things] of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? [14] Even so hath the Lord ordained³⁶ that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. [15] But I have³⁷ used none of these things: neither³⁸ have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for³⁹ [it were] better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. [16] For though I preach the gospel, I have⁴⁰ nothing to glory of: for⁴¹ necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe⁴² is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! [17] For if I⁴³ do this thing willingly, I have⁴⁴ a reward: but if against⁴⁵ my will, a dispensation⁴⁶ [of the gospel] is committed unto me. [18] What is my reward then? [Verily] that, when⁴⁷ I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I⁴⁸ abuse not my power in the gospel.

⥃Paul the Servant to All

[19] For though I be⁴⁹ free from all [men], yet have I made⁵⁰ myself servant unto all, that⁵¹ I might gain the more. [20] And unto⁵² the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under⁵³ the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; [21] To them⁵⁴ that are without law, as without law, (being not⁵⁵ without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. [22] To the weak⁵⁶ became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am⁵⁷ made all things to all [men], that I might by⁵⁸ all means save some. [23] And this I do for⁵⁹ the gospel’s sake, that⁶⁰ I might be partaker thereof with [you].

⥃Run Your Race to Win

[24] Know ye not that they⁶¹ which run in⁶² a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run⁶³, that ye may obtain. [25] And every man that striveth⁶⁴ for the mastery is temperate⁶⁵ in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but⁶⁶ we an incorruptible. [26] I therefore so run, not⁶⁷ as uncertainly; so⁶⁸ fight I, not as one that beateth the air: [27] But I keep⁶⁹ under my body, and⁷⁰ bring [it] into subjection: lest⁷¹ that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway⁷².