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

Итак каждый должен разуметь нас, как служителей Христовых и домостроителей таин Божиих.

2 M oreover, it is required of stewards that a man should be found faithful.

От домостроителей же требуется, чтобы каждый оказался верным.

3 B ut 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.

Для меня очень мало значит, как судите обо мне вы или другие люди; я и сам не сужу о себе.

4 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.

Ибо я ничего не знаю за собою, но тем не оправдываюсь; судия же мне Господь.

5 S o 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.

Посему не судите никак прежде времени, пока не придет Господь, Который и осветит скрытое во мраке и обнаружит сердечные намерения, и тогда каждому будет похвала от Бога.

6 N ow 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.

Это, братия, приложил я к себе и Аполлосу ради вас, чтобы вы научились от нас не мудрствовать сверх того, что написано, и не превозносились один перед другим.

7 F or 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 ?

Ибо кто отличает тебя? Что ты имеешь, чего бы не получил? А если получил, что хвалишься, как будто не получил?

8 ' > 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!

Вы уже пресытились, вы уже обогатились, вы стали царствовать без нас. О, если бы вы царствовали, чтобы и нам с вами царствовать!

9 F or 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.

Ибо я думаю, что нам, последним посланникам, Бог судил быть как бы приговоренными к смерти, потому что мы сделались позорищем для мира, для Ангелов и человеков.

10 W e 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!

Мы безумны Христа ради, а вы мудры во Христе; мы немощны, а вы крепки; вы в славе, а мы в бесчестии.

11 T o this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we '> habitually] wear but one undergarment; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless.

Даже доныне терпим голод и жажду, и наготу и побои, и скитаемся,

12 A nd 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.

и трудимся, работая своими руками. Злословят нас, мы благословляем; гонят нас, мы терпим;

13 W hen 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.

хулят нас, мы молим; мы как сор для мира, прах, всеми доныне.

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

Не к постыжению вашему пишу сие, но вразумляю вас, как возлюбленных детей моих.

15 A fter 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).

Ибо, хотя у вас тысячи наставников во Христе, но не много отцов; я родил вас во Христе Иисусе благовествованием.

16 S o I urge and implore you, be imitators of me.

Посему умоляю вас: подражайте мне, как я Христу.

17 F or 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.

Для сего я послал к вам Тимофея, моего возлюбленного и верного в Господе сына, который напомнит вам о путях моих во Христе, как я учу везде во всякой церкви.

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

Как я не иду к вам, то некоторые возгордились;

19 B ut 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).

но я скоро приду к вам, если угодно будет Господу, и испытаю не слова возгордившихся, а силу,

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

ибо Царство Божие не в слове, а в силе.

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

Чего вы хотите? с жезлом придти к вам, или с любовью и духом кротости?