1. Let a man so consider 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.
3. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man's judgment: yea, I do not judge my own self.
4. For I know nothing against myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord.
5. Therefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord comes, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make known the intentions of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise from God.
6. And these things, brethren, I have in an illustration transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that 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.
7. For who makes you to differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you received it, why do you glorify yourself, as if you had not received it?
8. Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9. For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as if appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men.
10. We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honorable, but we are despised.
11. Even to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are assaulted, and have no sure dwelling place;
12. And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we bear it:
13. Being defamed, we appeal: we are made like the filth of the world, and are the refuse of all things until this day.
14. I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons 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 begotten you through the gospel.
16. Therefore I plead with you, be followers of me.
17. For this reason have I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
18. Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.
19. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and will know, not the speech of those who are puffed up, but the power.
20. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21. What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?