 1 Let mankind+ count us as ministers of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Now, it is required in stewards that they be found faithful. 3 As for me, it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by the judgment of mankind+. Nor do I judge myself. 4 For I know nothing in myself, and it is not in this that I am justified, but it is the Lord who will judge me. 5 Therefore, do not judge anything before the time, until the Lord comes who will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal+ the counsels~ of the hearts. Then shall everyone+ have praise from God. 6 Now family+, I have applied these things to myself and to Apollos as an example for you so that you might learn from us to not think that you know more than what has been written. None of you should be puffed up against one another. 7 For who makes you different from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you received it, then why do you boast+ as if you had not received it? 8 Now you are full. Now you are rich. You have reigned as kings without us. I wish+ to God that you did reign so that we might also reign with you. 9 For I think that God has set us forth as apostles last appointed to death. For we are made a spectacle to the world and to angels and to people+. 10 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 to this present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are buffeted and have no certain dwelling place. 12 We labor working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless. Being persecuted, we suffer~ it. 13 Being defamed, we entreat~. We are made like the filth of the world and the rubbish+ of all things to this day. 14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children+, I warn you. 15 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I have fathered+ you through the Gospel. 16 Therefore I urge+ you: Be followers of me. 17 For this reason+ I have sent Timothy to you. He is my beloved son and faithful in the Lord. He will remind you about my way of life in Christ as I teach everywhere in every assembly+. 18 Now some of you are puffed up as though I would not come to you. 19 But I will come to you soon+, if the Lord will allow it, and then I will know, not the speech of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in mere words but in power. 21 What will you have me do? Shall I come to you with a rod or in love and in the spirit of meekness?
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