1 Corinthians 4

1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

This is how a person should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the hidden truths of God.

2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

Now what is required of stewards is that they are found to be trustworthy.

3 I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

But for me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. For I do not even judge myself.

4 My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.

I am not aware of any charge being made against me, but that does not mean I am innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Therefore do not pronounce judgment about anything before the time, before the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his praise from God.

6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.

Now, brothers, I applied these principles to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that from us you might learn the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” This is so that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against the other.

7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

For who sees any difference between you and others? What do you have that you did not freely receive? If you have freely received it, why do you boast as if you had not done so?

8 Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!

Already you have all you could want! Already you have become rich! You began to reign—and that quite apart from us! Indeed, I wish you did reign, so that we could reign with you.

9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.

For I think God has put us apostles on display as the last in line in a procession and like men sentenced to death. We have become a spectacle to the world—to angels, and to human beings.

10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.

We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we are held in dishonor.

11 To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

Up to this present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally beaten, and we are homeless.

12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

We work hard, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless. When we are persecuted, we endure.

13 when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

When we are slandered, we speak with kindness. We have become, and are still considered to be, the refuse of the world and the filthiest of all things.

14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

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

15 Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

For even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

So I urge you to be imitators of me.

17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, just as I teach them everywhere and in every church.

18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

Now some of you have become arrogant, acting as though I were not coming to you.

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.

But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills. Then I will know not merely the talk of these who are so arrogant, but I will see their power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?