1 Corinthians 4
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1Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.4For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.
5Therefore 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 one’s praise will come from God.5Therefore 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 each one will receive his commendation from God.
6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.6I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, 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.
7For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?7For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
8You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you!8Already you have all you want! 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!
9For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.9For 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.
10We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!10We 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.
11To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.11To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,
12And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;12and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;
13being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.13when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.
14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.14I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.15For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.
16Therefore I urge you, imitate me.16I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.17That is why I sent 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.
18Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.18Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.
19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power.19But 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.
20For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.20For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.
21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?21What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.
1 Corinthians 3
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