1 Corinthians 4

ABU(i) 1 So let a man account 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 day; nay, neither do I judge myself. 4 For I am conscious to myself of nothing; yet am I not hereby justified, but he that judges me is the Lord. 5 So then judge not anything before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each one have his praise of God. 6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye may learn not to go beyond that which is written, that ye be not puffed up each for one against another. 7 For who makes thee to differ? And what hast thou, that thou didst not receive? But if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8 Already ye are filled full, already ye became rich, without us ye reigned as kings; and I would ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For I think that God set forth us the apostles last, as condemned to death; for we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. 11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; 12 and labor, working with our own hands; being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it; 13 being defamed, we entreat; we have become as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things unto this day. 14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I admonish you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I begot you through the gospel. 16 I beseech you therefore, be followers of me. 17 For this cause I sent to you Timothy, who is my child, beloved and faithful in the Lord, who will bring to your remembrance my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some were puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love, and the spirit of meekness?