[1] This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of
the mysteries of God. [2] Moreover it is required of stewards that they be
found trustworthy. [3] But with me it is a very small thing that I should
be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. [4] I
am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It
is the Lord who judges me. [5] Therefore do not pronounce judgment before
the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now
hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every
man will receive his commendation from God. [6] I have applied all this to
myself and Apol'los for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us
not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in
favor of one against another. [7] For who sees anything different in you?
What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you
boast as if it were not a gift? [8] Already you are filled! Already you
have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did
reign, so that we might share the rule with you! [9] For I think that God
has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death;
because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. [10]
We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak,
but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. [11] To the
present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and
homeless, [12] and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we
bless; when persecuted, we endure; [13] when slandered, we try to
conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the
offscouring of all things. [14] I do not write this to make you ashamed,
but to admonish you as my beloved children. [15] For though you have
countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your
father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. [16] I urge you, then, be
imitators of me. [17] Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and
faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach
them everywhere in every church. [18] Some are arrogant, as though I were
not coming to you. [19] But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and
I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. [20]
For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. [21] What do
you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of
gentleness?
