RKJNT - I Corinthians - 4

4:1  Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.

4:2  Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.

4:3  But with me it is a very small thing if I should be judged by you, or by any human court: in fact, I do not even judge my own self.

4:4  For I know of nothing against myself; yet I am not by this justified: but he who judges me is the Lord.

4:5  Therefore, judge nothing before the time; before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in darkness, and will disclose the motives of the heart: and then every man shall have his praise from God.

4:6  And these things, brethren, I have applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that through us you might learn not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you might become puffed up in favour of one against another.

4:7  For who makes you superior to another? and what do you have that you did not receive? now if you did receive it, why do you boast, as if you had not received it?

4:8  Already you are full, already you are rich, you have become as kings without us: and I would that you had become kings, that we might also reign with you.

4:9  For I think that God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as if we were condemned to death: for we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men.

4:10  We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honoured, but we are despised.

4:11  Even to this present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are ill-clothed, and are buffeted, and are homeless;

4:12  And we labour, working with our own hands: when reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure it:

4:13  When slandered, we answer kindly; we have been made the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even to this day.

4:14  I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

4:15  For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

4:16  Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me.

4:17  For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.

4:18  Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

4:19  But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and will find out, not the speech of those who are puffed up, but their power.

4:20  For the kingdom of God does not consist of talk, but of power.

4:21  What do you wish? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and in a spirit of gentleness?