Common English Bible CEB
New Revised Standard NRS
16 If I preach the gospel, I have no reason to brag, since I'm obligated to do it. I'm in trouble if I don't preach the gospel.
16
If I proclaim the gospel, this gives me no ground for boasting, for an obligation is laid on me, and woe to me if I do not proclaim the gospel!
17 If I do this voluntarily, I get rewarded for it. But if I'm forced to do it, then I've been charged with a responsibility.
17
For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.
18 What reward do I get? That when I preach, I offer the good news free of charge. That's why I don't use the rights to which I'm entitled through the gospel.
18
What then is my reward? Just this: that in my proclamation I may make the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my rights in the gospel.
19 Although I'm free from all people, I make myself a slave to all people, to recruit more of them.
19
For though I am free with respect to all, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I might win more of them.
20 I act like a Jew to the Jews, so I can recruit Jews. I act like I'm under the Law to those under the Law, so I can recruit those who are under the Law (though I myself am not under the Law).
20
To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though I myself am not under the law) so that I might win those under the law.
21 I act like I'm outside the Law to those who are outside the Law, so I can recruit those outside the Law (though I'm not outside the law of God but rather under the law of Christ).
21
To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law) so that I might win those outside the law.
22 I act weak to the weak, so I can recruit the weak. I have become all things to all people, so I could save some by all possible means.
22
To the weak I became weak, so that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.
23 All the things I do are for the sake of the gospel, so I can be a partner with it.
23
I do it all for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.