1 Corinthians 9:14-18 In just that way the Lord directed that those who preach the good news should get their living from it.

Goodspeed⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹⁴ In just that way the Lord directed that those who preach the good news should get their living from it. ¹⁵ But I have not availed myself of any of these rights. And I am not writing this now so that I may become an illustration of this; I had rather die than do that. No one shall deprive me of this boast of mine. ¹⁶ As far as preaching the good news is concerned, that is nothing for me to boast of, for I cannot help doing it. For I am ruined if I do not preach. ¹⁷ For if I do it of my own accord, I have my pay, but if I do it because I must, it is still a responsibility that I am charged with. ¹⁸ What pay then do I get? Why, that in my preaching I can offer the good news without cost, and so not take full advantage of my rights as a preacher.