First Reading 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22b-27
16For if I preach the Gospel, it is not glory for me. For an obligation has been laid upon me. And woe to me, if I do not preach the Gospel.
17For if I do this willingly, I have a reward. But if I do this reluctantly, a dispensation is granted to me.
18And what, then, would be my reward? So, when preaching the Gospel, I should give the Gospel without taking, so that I may not misuse my authority in the Gospel.
19For when I was a free man to all, I made myself the servant of all, so that I might gain all the more.
- Some verses are not read.
22To the weak, I became weak, so that I might gain the weak. To all, I became all, so that I might save all.
23And I do everything for the sake of the Gospel, so that I may become its partner.
24Do you not know that, of those who run in a race, all of them, certainly, are runners, but only one achieves the prize. Similarly, you must run, so that you may achieve.
25And one who competes in a contest abstains from all things. And they do this, of course, so that they may achieve a corruptible crown. But we do this, so that we may achieve what is incorruptible.
26And so I run, but not with uncertainty. And so I fight, but not by flailing in the air.
27Instead, I chastise my body, so as to redirect it into servitude. Otherwise, I might preach to others, but become myself an outcast.
Catholic Public Domain Version · part-verses shown as whole verses
Read in the CPDV: The whole of 1 Corinthians 9