1 T ÉNGANNOS los hombres por ministros de Cristo, y dispensadores de los misterios de Dios.

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

2 M as ahora se requiere en los dispensadores, que cada uno sea hallado fiel.

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

3 Y o en muy poco tengo el ser juzgado de vosotros, ó de juicio humano; y ni aun yo me juzgo.

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 aunque de nada tengo mala conciencia, no por eso soy justificado; mas el que me juzga, el Señor es.

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 A sí que, no juzguéis nada antes de tiempo, hasta que venga el Señor, el cual también aclarará lo oculto de las tinieblas, y manifestará los intentos de los corazones: y entonces cada uno tendrá de Dios la alabanza.

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 E sto empero, hermanos, he pasado por ejemplo en mí y en Apolos por amor de vosotros; para que en nosotros aprendáis á no saber más de lo que está escrito, hinchándoos por causa de otro el uno contra el otro.

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 orque ¿quién te distingue? ¿ó qué tienes que no hayas recibido? Y si lo recibiste, ¿de qué te glorías como si no hubieras recibido?

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 Y a estáis hartos, ya estáis ricos, sin nosotros reináis; y ojalá reinéis, para que nosotros reinemos también juntamente con vosotros.

'> 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 á lo que pienso, Dios nos ha mostrado á nosotros los apóstoles por los postreros, como á sentenciados á muerte: porque somos hechos espectáculo al mundo, y á los ángeles, y á los hombres.

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 osotros necios por amor de Cristo, y vosotros prudentes en Cristo; nosotros flacos, y vosotros fuertes; vosotros nobles, y nosotros viles.

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 H asta esta hora hambreamos, y tenemos sed, y estamos desnudos, y somos heridos de golpes, y andamos vagabundos;

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 Y trabajamos, obrando con nuestras manos: nos maldicen, y bendecimos: padecemos persecución, y sufrimos:

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 blasfemados, y rogamos: hemos venido á ser como la hez del mundo, el desecho de todos hasta ahora.

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 o escribo esto para avergonzaros: mas amonéstoos como á mis hijos amados.

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

15 P orque aunque tengáis diez mil ayos en Cristo, no tendréis muchos padres; que en Cristo Jesús yo os engendré por el evangelio.

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 P or tanto, os ruego que me imitéis.

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

17 P or lo cual os he enviado á Timoteo, que es mi hijo amado y fiel en el Señor, el cual os amonestará de mis caminos cuáles sean en Cristo, de la manera que enseño en todas partes en todas las iglesias.

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 algunos están envanecidos, como si nunca hubiese yo de ir á vosotros.

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

19 E mpero iré presto á vosotros, si el Señor quisiere; y entenderé, no las palabras de los que andan hinchados, sino la virtud.

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 el reino de Dios no consiste en palabras, sino en virtud.

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

21 ¿ Qué queréis? ¿iré á vosotros con vara, ó con caridad y espíritu de mansedumbre?

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