³⁵ In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

¹⁶ Therefore I urge you to imitate me.^(A)

⁷ I wish that all of you were as I am.^(A) But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.^(B)

⁸ Now to the unmarried^[a] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.^(A)

11 ¹ Follow my example,^(A) as I follow the example of Christ.^(B)

¹⁷ Join together in following my example,^(A) brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.^(B)

⁹ Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.^(A) And the God of peace^(B) will be with you.