1 Corinthians 4
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1Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.1Think of us as servants of the Messiah and as servant managers entrusted with God's secrets.
2Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.2Now it is required of servant managers that each one should prove to be trustworthy.
3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.3It is a very small thing to me that I should be examined by you or by any human court. In fact, I don't even evaluate myself.
4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.4For my conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who examines me.
5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.5Therefore, stop judging prematurely, before the Lord comes, for he will bring to light what is now hidden in darkness and reveal the motives of our hearts. Then each person will receive his praise from God.
6And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.6Brothers, I have applied all this to Apollos and myself for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what the Scriptures say. Then you will stop boasting about one person at the expense of another.
7For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?7For who makes you superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not receive it?
8Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.8You already have all you want! You have already become rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you really were kings so that we could be kings with you!
9For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.9For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display in last place, like men condemned to death. We have become a spectacle for the world, for angels, and for people to stare at.
10We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.10We are fools for the Messiah's sake, but you are wise in the Messiah. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.
11Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace;11We are hungry, thirsty, dressed in rags, brutally treated, and homeless, right up to the present.
12And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:12We wear ourselves out from working with our own hands. When insulted, we bless. When persecuted, we endure.
13Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.13When slandered, we answer with kind words. Even now we have become the filth of the world, the scum of the universe.
14I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.14I'm not writing this to make you feel ashamed, but to warn you as my dear children.
15For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.15You may have 10,000 mentors who work for the Messiah, but not many fathers. For in the Messiah Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
16Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.16So I urge you to imitate me.
17For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.17That's why I sent Timothy to you. He is my dear and dependable son in the Lord and will help you remember how I live for the Messiah Jesus as I teach everywhere in every church.
18Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.18Some of you have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to evaluate you.
19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power.19But I will come to you soon if it's the Lord's will. Then I'll discover not only what these arrogant people are saying but also what power they have,
20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.20for the kingdom of God isn't just talk, but also power.
21What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?21Which do you prefer? Should I come to you with a stick, or with love and a gentle spirit?
King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
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1 Corinthians 3
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