1 So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of
God’s mysteries. 2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards, that they
be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be
judged by you, or by man’s judgment. Yes, I don’t judge my own self. 4 For
I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who
judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until
the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness,
and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each man will get his praise from
God.
6 Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and
Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond
the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one
another. 7 For who makes you different? And what do you have that you
didn’t receive? But if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not
received it? 8 You are already filled. You have already become
rich. You have come to reign without us. Yes, and I wish that you
did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For, I think that God has
displayed us, the apostles, last of all, like men sentenced to death. For we
are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. 10 We are fools
for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you
are strong. You have honor, but we have dishonor. 11 Even to this
present hour we hunger, thirst, are naked, are beaten, and have no certain
dwelling place. 12 We toil, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we
bless. Being persecuted, we endure. 13 Being defamed, we entreat. We are
made as the filth of the world, the dirt wiped off by all, even until now.
14 I don’t write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my
beloved children. 15 For though you have ten thousand tutors in
Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father
through the gospel. 16 I beg you therefore, be imitators of me.
17 Because of this I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and
faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways which are in
Christ, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 18 Now some are
puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you
shortly, if the Lord is willing. And I will know, not the word of those who
are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the Kingdom of God is not in word,
but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or
in love and a spirit of gentleness?
World English Bible - Public Domain |
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