Dual Panel1One <444> should think <3049> about us <2248> this way <3779>– as <5613> servants <5257> of Christ <5547> and <2532> stewards <3623> of the mysteries <3466> of God <2316>.
2Now <3063> what is sought <2212> in <1722> stewards <3623> is that <2443> one <5100> be found <2147> faithful <4103>.
3So <1161> for me <1698>, it is <1510> a minor matter <1646> that <2443> I am judged <350> by <5259> you <5216> or <2228> by <5259> any human court <442>. In fact, I do <350> not even <3761> judge <350> myself <1683>.
4For <1063> I am <4894> not <3762> aware <4894> of anything against myself <1683>, but <235> I am <1344> not <3756> acquitted <1344> because of <1722> this <5129>. The one who judges <350> me <3165> is <1510> the Lord <2962>.
5So then <5620>, do <2919> not <3361> judge <2919> anything <5100> before <4253> the time <2540>. Wait until <2193> the Lord <2962> comes <2064>. He will bring to light <5461> the hidden things <2927> of darkness <4655> and <2532> reveal <5319> the motives <1012> of hearts <2588>. Then <5119> each <1538> will receive <1096> recognition <1868> from <575> God <2316>.
6I have applied <3345> these things <5023> to <1519> myself <1683> and <2532> Apollos <625> because of <1223> you <5209>, brothers and sisters <80>, so that <2443> through <1722> us <2254> you may learn <3129> “not <3361> to go beyond <5228> what <3739> is written <1125>,” so that <2443> none <3361> of you will be puffed up <5448> in <1520> favor <5228> of the one <1520> against <2596> the other <2087>.
7For <1063> who <5101> concedes <1252> you <4571> any superiority? What <5101> do you have <2192> that <3739> you did <2983> not <3756> receive <2983>? And <2532> if <1487> you received <2983> it, why <5101> do you boast <2744> as though <5613> you did <2983> not <3361>?
8Already <2235> you are <1510> satisfied <2880>! Already <2235> you are rich <4147>! You have become kings <936> without <5565> us <2257>! I wish <3785> you had become kings <936> so that <2443> we <2249> could reign <4821> with you <5213>!
9For <1063>, I think <1380>, God <2316> has exhibited <584> us <2248> apostles <652> last <2078> of all, as <5613> men condemned to die <1935>, because <3754> we have become <1096> a spectacle <2302> to the world <2889>, both <2532> to angels <32> and <2532> to people <444>.
10We <2249> are fools <3474> for <1223> Christ <5547>, but <1161> you <5210> are wise <5429> in <1722> Christ <5547>! We <2249> are weak <772>, but <1161> you <5210> are strong <2478>! You <5210> are distinguished <1741>, we <2249> are dishonored <820>!
11To <891> the present <737> hour <5610> we are hungry <3983> and <2532> thirsty <1372>, poorly clothed <1130>, brutally treated <2852>, and <2532> without a roof over <790> our heads <790>.
12We do hard work <2872>, toiling <2038> with our own <2398> hands <5495>. When we are verbally abused <3058>, we respond with a blessing <2127>, when persecuted <1377>, we endure <430>,
13when people lie <987> about us, we answer in a friendly manner <3870>. We are <1096> the world’s <2889> dirt <4027> and scum <4067>, even <2193> now <737>.
14I am <1125> not <3756> writing <1125> these things <5023> to shame <1788> you <5209>, but <235> to correct <3560> you as <5613> my <3450> dear <27> children <5043>.
15For <1063> though <1437> you may have <2192> ten thousand <3463> guardians <3807> in <1722> Christ <5547>, you do not <3756> have many <4183> fathers <3962>, because <1063> I <1473> became <1080> your <5209> father <1080> in <1722> Christ <5547> Jesus <2424> through <1223> the gospel <2098>.
16I encourage <3870> you <5209>, then <3767>, be <1096> imitators <3402> of me <3450>.
17For <1223> this reason <5124>, I have sent <3992> Timothy <5095> to you <5213>, who <3739> is <1510> my <3450> dear <27> and <2532> faithful <4103> son <5043> in <1722> the Lord <2962>. He will remind <363> you <5209> of my <3450> ways <3598> in <1722> Christ <5547>, as <2531> I teach <1321> them everywhere <3837> in <1722> every <3956> church <1577>.
18Some <5100> have become arrogant <5448>, as <5613> if I <3450> were <2064> not <3361> coming <2064> to <4314> you <5209>.
19But <1161> I will come <2064> to <4314> you <5209> soon <5030>, if <1437> the Lord <2962> is willing <2309>, and <2532> I will find out <1097> not <3756> only the talk <3056> of these arrogant people <5448>, but <235> also their power <1411>.
20For <1063> the kingdom <932> of God <2316> is demonstrated not <3756> in <1722> idle talk <3056> but <235> with <1722> power <1411>.
21What <5101> do you want <2309>? Shall I come <2064> to <4314> you <5209> with <1722> a rod <4464> of discipline or <2228> with <1722> love <26> and <5037> a spirit <4151> of gentleness <4240>?