1 | Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. |
2 | Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. |
3 | But 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. |
4 | For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. |
5 | Therefore 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. |
6 | And 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. |
7 | For 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]? |
8 | Now 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. |
9 | For 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. |
10 | We [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. |
11 | Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; |
12 | And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: |
13 | Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day. |
14 | I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn [you]. |
15 | For 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. |
16 | Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me. |
17 | For 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. |
18 | Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. |
19 | But 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. |
20 | For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power. |
21 | What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and [in] the spirit of meekness? |