1 L et a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Let a man so account of us as servants of Christ, and stewards of mysteries of God.

2 I n this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

Here, further, it is sought in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

3 B ut to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.

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 F or I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.

For I am conscious of nothing in myself; but I am not justified by this: but he that examines me is the Lord.

5 T herefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

So that do not judge anything before 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 praise from God.

6 N ow these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

Now these things, brethren, I have transferred, in their application, to myself and Apollos, for your sakes, that ye may learn in us the not above what is written, that ye may not be puffed up one for one against another.

7 F or who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

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 Y ou are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.

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 F or, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

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 W e are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

We fools for Christ's sake, but ye prudent in Christ: we weak, but ye strong: ye glorious, but we in dishonour.

11 T o this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are in nakedness, and buffeted, and wander without a home,

12 a nd we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

and labour, working with our own hands. Railed at, we bless; persecuted, we suffer;

13 w hen we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

insulted, we entreat: we are become as offscouring of the world, refuse of all, until now.

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.

Not chiding do I write these things to you, but as my beloved children I admonish.

15 F or if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

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 T herefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

I entreat you therefore, be my imitators.

17 F or this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

For this reason I have sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved and faithful child in Lord, who shall put you in mind of my ways they in Christ, according as I teach everywhere in every assembly.

18 N ow some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.

But some have been puffed up, as if I were not coming to you;

19 B ut I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power.

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 F or the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.

For the kingdom of God not in word, but in power.

21 W hat do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

What will ye? that I come to you with a rod; or in love, and a spirit of meekness?