1 Corinthians 4

1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Let each one so think of us as ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2 Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

Now it is required in stewards, that each one be found faithful.

3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self.

But with me, it matters very little, that I should be judged by you, or by the judgment of men: indeed, I do not judge myself.

4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.

For, though I am conscious of no wrong, yet by this I am not justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.

5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.

So, then, judge nothing before the time, till the Lord comes, who will bring to light the secret works of darkness, and will also make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall each have his praise from God.

6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that all of you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.

And these things, brethren, I have, in figure, applied to myself and Apollos, for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think more of teachers than what has been written; and that no one of you be vain of one to the injury of another.

7 For who makes you to differ from another? and what have you that you did not receive? now if you did receive it, why do you glory, as if you had not received it?

For who gave you distinction, as a teacher? And what have you as a teacher, that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast, as if you had not received it?

8 Now all of you are full, now all of you are rich, all of you have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God all of you did reign, that we also might reign with you.

You, Corinthians, are already full; you are already rich; you have reigned as kings independently of us. And that you did indeed reign, that we also might reign with you!

9 For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.

For I think that God has appointed us the apostles, to the lowest place, as under sentence of death; for we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.

10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but all of you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but all of you are strong; all of you are honourable, but we are despised.

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honored, but we are despised.

11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;

Even to this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are poorly clothed, and are maltreated, and wander about without a home,

12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:

and labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

13 Being defamed, we implore: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the waste of all things unto this day.

when defamed, we entreat; we have become like the outcasts of the world, the offscouring of all things to this day.

14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.

I do not write these things that I may make you ashamed; but as my beloved children I admonish you.

15 For though all of you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have all of you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, yet you have not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

16 Wherefore I plead to you, be all of you followers of me.

I exhort you, therefore, be imitators of me.

17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.

For this reason have I sent to you Timothy, who is my son, beloved and faithful in the Lord, that he may remind you of my ways that are in Christ, as I teach everywhere, in every church.

18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.

Now, some have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you;

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech (logos) of them which are puffed up, but the power.

but I will come to you quickly, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the speech of those who have become arrogant, but the power.

20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, (logos) but in power.

For the kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power.

21 What will all of you? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, (agape) and in the spirit (pneuma) of meekness?

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