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?

1 Let us be judged as servants of Christ, and as those who are responsible for the secret things of God.

2 And it is right for such servants to be safe persons.

3 But it is a small thing to me that I am judged by you or by man's judging; I am not even a judge of myself.

4 For I am not conscious of any wrong in myself; but this does not make me clear, for it is the Lord who is my judge.

5 For this reason let there be no judging before the time, till the Lord comes, who will make clear the secret things of the dark, and the designs of the heart; and then will every man have his praise from God.

6 My brothers, it is because of you that I have taken Apollos and myself as examples of these things, so that in us you might see that it is not wise to go farther than what is in the holy Writings, so that no one of you may be lifted up against his brother.

7 For who made you better than your brother? or what have you that has not been given to you? but if it has been given to you, what cause have you for pride, as if it had not been given to you?

8 For even now you are full, even now you have wealth, you have been made kings without us: truly, I would be glad if you were kings, so that we might be kings with you.

9 For it seems to me that God has put us the Apostles last of all, as men whose fate is death: for we are put on view to the world, and to angels, and to men.

10 We are made to seem foolish for Christ, but you are wise in Christ; we are feeble, but you are strong; you have glory, but we have shame.

11 Even to this hour we are without food, drink, and clothing, we are given blows and have no certain resting-place;

12 And with our hands we do the hardest work: when they give us curses we give blessings, when we undergo punishment we take it quietly;

13 When evil things are said about us we give gentle answers: we are made as the unclean things of the world, as that for which no one has any use, even till now.

14 I am not saying these things to put you to shame, but so that, as my dear children, you may see what is right.

15 For even if you had ten thousand teachers in Christ, you have not more than one father: for in Christ Jesus I have given birth to you through the good news.

16 So my desire is that you take me as your example.

17 For this cause I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and true child in the Lord; he will make clear to you my ways in Christ, even as I am teaching everywhere in every church.

18 Now some are full of pride, as if I was not coming to you.

19 But I will come to you in a short time, if it is pleasing to the Lord, and I will take note, not of the word of those who are full of pride, but of the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

21 What is your desire? is my coming to be with punishment, or is it to be in love and a gentle spirit?