But by the graceof GodI amwhatI am,and His gracetowardme did not provevain;but I laboredeven morethan allof them, yetnot I, but the graceof Godwith me.
I can doall thingsthroughHim who strengthensme.
Not that we are adequatein ourselvesto consideranythingas [coming] from ourselves,but our adequacyis from God,
for it is Godwho is at workin you, bothto willand to workfor [His] good pleasure.
(for He who effectuallyworkedfor Peterin [his] apostleshipto the circumcisedeffectually workedfor me alsoto the Gentiles),
For throughthe gracegivento me I sayto everyoneamongyou not to think more highlyof himself thanhe oughtto think;but to thinksoas to have sound judgment,as Godhas allottedto eacha measureof faith.
I have becomefoolish;you yourselvescompelledme. ActuallyI shouldhave been commendedby you, for in norespectwas I inferiorto the most eminentapostles,eventhoughI ama nobody.
And working together[with Him], we alsourgeyou not to receivethe graceof Godin vain--
For whoregards you as superior?Whatdo you havethat you did not receive?And ifyou did receiveit, whydo you boastas ifyou had not receivedit?
by whichalsoyou are saved,ifyou hold fastthe wordwhichI preachedto you, unlessyou believedin vain.
I saythen,Godhas not rejectedHis people,has He? May it neverbe! For I tooaman Israelite,a descendantof Abraham,of the tribeof Benjamin.
"For it is not you who speak,but [it is] the Spiritof your Fatherwho speaksin you.
I planted,Apolloswatered,but Godwas causing the growth.
Accordingto the graceof Godwhich was givento me, likea wisemaster builderI laida foundation,and anotheris buildingon it. But each manmust be carefulhowhe buildson it.
Whetherthen[it was] I orthey, sowe preachand soyou believed.
But we requestof you, brethren,that you appreciatethosewho diligently laboramongyou, and have charge overyou in the Lordand give you instruction,
For it is for thiswe laborand strive,becausewe have fixed our hopeon the livingGod,whois the Saviorof allmen,especiallyof believers.
"Immediatelythe one who had receivedthe fivetalentswentand tradedwith them, and gainedfivemoretalents.
