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 a human court. Yes, I don’t even 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. When people curse us, 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, you don’t have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, I became your father through the Good News. 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 God’s Kingdom 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?

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?