1st Corinthians — 9
Shaul Gives Up His Rights
1 Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not a Shaliach? Have I not seen 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA our Master with my own eyes? Is it not because of my work that you belong to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH?
2 Even if others think I am not a Shaliach, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am a Shaliach of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
3 This is my answer to those who question my authority.
4 Do we not have the right to live in your homes and share your meals?
5 Do we not have the right to bring a believing wife with us as the other Shaliach and the brothers of Ha'Mashyach do, and as Kafa does?
6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have to work to support ourselves?
7 What soldier has to pay his own expenses? What farmer plants a vineyard and does not have the right to eat some of its fruit? What shepherd cares for a flock of sheep and is not allowed to drink some of the milk?
8 Am I expressing merely a man's opinion, or does the law say the same thing?
9 For the law of Musha says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” Was 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH thinking only about oxen when He said this?
10 Was 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH not actually speaking to us? Yes, it was written for us, so that the one who plows and the one who threshes the grain might both expect a share of the harvest.
11 Since we have planted spiritual seed among you, are we not entitled to a harvest of physical food and drink?
12 If you support others who preach to you, should we not have an even greater right to be supported? But we have never used this right. We would rather put up with anything than be an obstacle to the Basurah (Good News) about Ha'Mashyach.
13 Do you not realize that those who work in the Temple get their meals from the offerings brought to the Temple? And those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrificial offerings.
14 In the same way 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH ordered that those who preach the Basurah (Good News) should be supported by those who benefit from it.
15 Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge.
16 Yet preaching the Basurah (Good News) is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH to do it. How terrible for me if I did not preach the Basurah (Good News)!
17 If I were doing this on my own initiative, I would deserve payment. But I have no choice, for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has given me this set apart trust.
18 What then is my pay? It is the opportunity to preach the Basurah (Good News) without charging anyone. That is why I never demand my rights when I preach the Basurah.
19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all men to bring many to Ha'Mashyach.
20 When I was with the Yahudym, I lived like a Yahudym to bring the Yahudym to Ha'Mashyach. When I was with those who follow the Yahudym law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Ha'Mashyach those who are under the law.
21 When I am with the other nations who do not follow the Yahudym law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Ha'Mashyach. But I do not ignore the law of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH; I obey the law of Ha'Mashyach.
22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Ha'Mashyach. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
23 I do everything to spread the Basurah (Good News) and share in its Barakah.
24 Do you not realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!
25 All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.
26 So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.
27 I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.