1 Q ue os homens nos considerem, pois, como ministros de Cristo, e despenseiros dos mistérios de Deus.

So then, let us be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God.

2 O ra, além disso, o que se requer nos despenseiros é que cada um seja encontrado fiel.

Moreover, it is required of stewards that a man should be found faithful.

3 T odavia, a mim mui pouco se me dá de ser julgado por vós, ou por qualquer tribunal humano; nem eu tampouco a mim mesmo me julgo.

But it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you, and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself.

4 P orque, embora em nada me sinta culpado, nem por isso sou justificado; pois quem me julga é o Senhor.

I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord Who examines and judges me.

5 P ortanto nada julgueis antes do tempo, até que venha o Senhor, o qual não só trará ã luz as coisas ocultas das trevas, mas também manifestará os desígnios dos corações; e então cada um receberá de Deus o seu louvor.

So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes, for He will both bring to light the secret things that are in darkness and disclose and expose the aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.

6 O ra, irmãos, estas coisas eu as apliquei figuradamente a mim e a Apolo, por amor de vós; para que em nós aprendais a não ir além do que está escrito, de modo que nenhum de vós se ensoberbeça a favor de um contra outro.

Now I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us, you may learn not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up and inflated with pride and boast in favor of one against another.

7 P ois, quem te diferença? E que tens tu que não tenhas recebido? E, se o recebeste, por que te glorias, como se não o houveras recebido?

For who separates you from the others ? What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you had not received ?

8 J á estais fartos! já estais ricos! sem nós já chegastes a reinar! e oxalá reinásseis de fato, para que também nós reinássemos convosco!

'> You behave as if] you are already filled and think you have enough! Already you have become rich!, you have ascended your thrones and come into your kingdom without including us! And would that it were true and that you did reign, so that we might be sharing the kingdom with you!

9 P orque tenho para mim, que Deus a nós, apóstolos, nos pôs por últimos, como condenados ã morte; pois somos feitos espetáculo ao mundo, tanto a anjos como a homens.

For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last sentenced to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world with both men and angels.

10 N ós somos loucos por amor de Cristo, e vós sábios em Cristo; nós fracos, e vós fortes; vós ilustres, e nós desprezíveis.

We are fools on account of Christ and for His sake, but you are so amazingly wise and prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute and contempt!

11 A té a presente hora padecemos fome, e sede; estamos nus, e recebemos bofetadas, e não temos pousada certa,

To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we '> habitually] wear but one undergarment; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless.

12 e nos afadigamos, trabalhando com nossas próprias mãos; somos injuriados, e bendizemos; somos perseguidos, e o suportamos;

And we still toil unto weariness, working hard with our own hands. When men revile us '> wound us with an accursed sting], we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure it.

13 s omos difamados, e exortamos; até o presente somos considerados como o refugo do mundo, e como a escória de tudo.

When we are slandered and defamed, we answer softly and bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish and filth of the world.

14 N ão escrevo estas coisas para vos envergonhar, mas para vos admoestar, como a filhos meus amados.

I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children.

15 P orque ainda que tenhais dez mil aios em Cristo, não tendes contudo muitos pais; pois eu pelo evangelho vos gerei em Cristo Jesus.

After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel).

16 R ogo-vos, portanto, que sejais meus imitadores.

So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me.

17 P or isso mesmo vos enviei Timóteo, que é meu filho amado, e fiel no Senhor; o qual vos lembrará os meus caminhos em Cristo, como por toda parte eu ensino em cada igreja.

For this very cause I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, who will recall to your minds my methods of proceeding and course of conduct and way of life in Christ, such as I teach everywhere in each of the churches.

18 M as alguns andam inchados, como se eu não houvesse de ir ter convosco.

Some of you have become conceited and arrogant and pretentious, counting on my not coming to you.

19 E m breve, porém, irei ter convosco, se o Senhor quiser, e então conhecerei, não as palavras dos que andam inchados, mas o poder.

But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will perceive and understand not what the talk of these puffed up and arrogant spirits amount to, but their force ( the moral power and excellence of soul they really possess).

20 P orque o reino de Deus não consiste em palavras, mas em poder.

For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power ( moral power and excellence of soul).

21 Q ue quereis? Irei a vós com vara, ou com amor e espírito de mansidão?

Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?