¹² If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.^(A) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder^(B) the gospel of Christ.

¹⁵ But I have not used any of these rights.^(A) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.^(B)

⁷ Was it a sin^(A) for me to lower myself in order to elevate you by preaching the gospel of God^(B) to you free of charge?^{(C) 8} I robbed other churches by receiving support from them^(D) so as to serve you. ⁹ And when I was with you and needed something, I was not a burden to anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed.^(E) I have kept myself from being a burden to you^(F) in any way, and will continue to do so. ¹⁰ As surely as the truth of Christ is in me,^(G) nobody in the regions of Achaia^(H) will stop this boasting^(I) of mine. ¹¹ Why? Because I do not love you? God knows^(J) I do!^(K)

¹² And I will keep on doing what I am doing in order to cut the ground from under those who want an opportunity to be considered equal with us in the things they boast about. ¹³ For such people are false apostles,^(L) deceitful^(M) workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ.^(N)

¹³ How were you inferior to the other churches, except that I was never a burden to you?^(A) Forgive me this wrong!^(B)

¹⁴ Now I am ready to visit you for the third time,^(C) and I will not be a burden to you, because what I want is not your possessions but you. After all, children should not have to save up for their parents,^(D) but parents for their children.^(E)

⁵ You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed^(A)—God is our witness.^{(B) 6} We were not looking for praise from people,^(C) not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles^(D) of Christ we could have asserted our authority.^(E)