For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God.
The former governors who were before me laid heavy burdens on the people and took from them for their daily ration[2] forty shekels[3] of silver. Even their servants lorded it over the people. But I did not do so, because of the fear of God.
Now what was prepared at my expense[4] for each day was one ox and six choice sheep and birds, and every ten days all kinds of wine in abundance. Yet for all this I did not demand the food allowance of the governor, because the service was too heavy on this people.
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God -- so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ;
But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.
And when I was with you and was in need, I did not burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied my need. So I refrained and will refrain from burdening you in any way.
But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict.
For to this end we toil and strive,[2] because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.