1 | Let a man so account of us as servants of Christ, and stewards of [the] mysteries of God. |
2 | Here, further, it is sought in stewards, that a man be found faithful. |
3 | But for me it is the very smallest matter that I be examined of you or of man's day. Nor do I even examine myself. |
4 | For I am conscious of nothing in myself; but I am not justified by this: but he that examines me is the Lord. |
5 | So that do not judge anything before [the] time, until the Lord shall come, who shall also both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall make manifest the counsels of hearts; and then shall each have [his] praise from God. |
6 | Now these things, brethren, I have transferred, in their application, to myself and Apollos, for your sakes, that ye may learn in us the [lesson of] not [letting your thoughts go] above what is written, that ye may not be puffed up one for [such a] one against another. |
7 | For who makes thee to differ? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? but if also thou hast received, why boastest thou as not receiving? |
8 | Already ye are filled; already ye have been enriched; ye have reigned without us; and I would that ye reigned, that *we* also might reign with you. |
9 | For I think that God has set us the apostles for the last, as appointed to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. |
10 | *We* [are] fools for Christ's sake, but *ye* prudent in Christ: *we* weak, but *ye* strong: *ye* glorious, but *we* in dishonour. |
11 | To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are in nakedness, and buffeted, and wander without a home, |
12 | and labour, working with our own hands. Railed at, we bless; persecuted, we suffer [it]; |
13 | insulted, we entreat: we are become as [the] offscouring of the world, [the] refuse of all, until now. |
14 | Not [as] chiding do I write these things to you, but as my beloved children I admonish [you]. |
15 | For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus *I* have begotten you through the glad tidings. |
16 | I entreat you therefore, be my imitators. |
17 | For this reason I have sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved and faithful child in [the] Lord, who shall put you in mind of my ways [as] they [are] in Christ, according as I teach everywhere in every assembly. |
18 | But some have been puffed up, as if I were not coming to you; |
19 | but I will come quickly to you, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of those that are puffed up, but the power. |
20 | For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power. |
21 | What will ye? that I come to you with a rod; or in love, and [in] a spirit of meekness? |