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people should think of us this way: as servants of Christ and as stewards entrusted with the mysteries of God. 2 In this regard, it is required of stewards that each one must prove faithful. 3 But with me it is of little importance if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of any issues against myself, yet I am not justified by this. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time, before the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and expose the motives of people’s hearts. Then at that time each one will receive his appropriate commendation from God.
6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Nothing beyond what is written”. The purpose is that none of you will become inflated with pride, favouring one person over another. 7 For what makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 Already you have all you want! Already you have become enriched! You have begun to reign as kings without us—and how I wish that you really had become kings, so that we might be kings with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place at the end of the procession, like men condemned to death. We have been made a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonoured! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty; we are clothed in rags, brutally treated, and homeless. 12 We toil in labour, working with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we speak kindly. We have become as the garbage of this world, the scum of all things, to this very day.
14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. 15 Even though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Now have fathered you in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to be imitators of me. 17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 Now some of you have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord wills, and then I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant people, but their power. 20 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What would you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a spirit of gentleness?