1 CorinthiansChapter 4

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¹So people should think of us as servants of Christ. We have been trusted to take care of God's mysteries. ²Those who are trusted with such a job must prove to be faithful. ³But I don't care much if you judge me, or if any human court judges me. In fact, I don't even judge myself. ⁴My conscience is clear, but that doesn't prove I am innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵So don't judge anything before the right time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring into the light what is hidden in darkness. He will show the reasons in people's hearts. Then each one will get his praise from God. ⁶Brothers and sisters, I have used myself and Apollos as examples to help you. I want you to learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not be proud of one person over another. ⁷Who says you are better than others? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you brag as if you didn't? ⁸You already have all you want! You are already rich! You have become kings without us! How I wish you really were kings, so that we could be kings with you! ⁹It seems to me that God has put us apostles on show at the end of the parade. We are like prisoners sentenced to die. We have become a show for the whole world to watch, for angels as well as people. ¹⁰We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, but we are shamed! ¹¹Even now we are hungry and thirsty. We don't have enough clothes. We are beaten. We have no homes. ¹²We work hard with our own hands. When people curse us, we bless them. When people hurt us for our faith, we put up with it. ¹³When people tell lies about us, we answer kindly. Even now, we have become like the dirt of the earth. We are like the trash of the world. ¹⁴I am not writing this to shame you. I am writing to warn you as my dear children. ¹⁵You may have ten thousand guardians in Christ. But you do not have many fathers. In Christ Jesus I became your father through the good news. ¹⁶So I urge you to follow my example. ¹⁷That is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is my dear and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of how I live in Christ Jesus. It matches what I teach everywhere in every church. ¹⁸Some of you have become proud, as if I were not coming to you. ¹⁹But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wants me to. Then I will find out what these proud people are saying. And I will also find out what power they have. ²⁰For the kingdom of God is not about talk. It is about power. ²¹Which do you want? Should I come to you with a rod? Or should I come with love and a gentle spirit?