JMNT(i)
1 Thus, let a person (a human) continue logically considering (or: measuring and classifying) us as God's subordinates (God's deputies; those under God's orders; God's under-rowers) and house-managers (or: administrators) of God's secrets (or: mysteries from God which require initiation for receiving; secrets which are God).
2 In this situation, furthermore, it is constantly being looked for and sought after, in house-managers (administrators), that this person may be found [to be] full of faith (loyal; reliable; trustworthy; faithful).
3 Now to (or: for) me, it is of little importance (a very trivial matter) that I am being constantly critiqued (sifted, critically reviewed and evaluated; put up for judgment) by you folks, or by a human day (= day of reckoning; man's tribunal or day in court). In contrast, by habit, neither do I set myself up for critique (or: review, evaluate or judge myself).
4 For, in and regarding (or: [as] to; for) myself, I have been conscious of nothing; but yet in this I have not been set forth as (or: made to be) fair and equitable (just and rightwised with right relationship in the Way pointed out). Now the One continually setting me up for evaluation (sifting, reviewing and deciding about me) is [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh].
5 Hence (or: And so), do not be constantly evaluating (or: stop judging, making decisions about or critiquing) anything before [its] season (before a fitting, due or appointed situation; prior to a fertile moment): until the Lord [= Yahweh or Christ] would come – Who will continue giving light to (or: shine upon and illuminate) the hidden things of the Darkness (or: the hiding things which are things in the shadows and dimness of obscurity), and will progressively set in clear light (or: manifest) the intentions and purposes (designs, dispositions, motives and counsels) of the hearts – and then the praise and applause from God will repeatedly be birthed (will happen; come into being) in each human (or: for every person)!
6 Now I refashioned these things (or: transfer these things into a figure; change these things to a distinctive form; = changed the form of the metaphor), brothers – with a view to Apollos and myself – because of you folks, to the end that in us you could learn not to set your thoughts (be disposed; put your intellect and opinion; entertain sentiments) on things over and above things which have been written, so that you do not continue being puffed up – one over and above another, [and] down on the different one.
7 For who continues making you to discriminate (or: who is now thoroughly separating or dividing you through the midst, for evaluation; or: who is repeatedly discerning or distinguishing you; or: what makes you completely different and separated)? And what are you habitually holding (constantly having) which you did not receive? Now since (or: if) also you received [it], why do you continue boasting, as though not receiving [it]?
8 You folks already continuously exist being ones having become completely satiated, with the result that you are now fully satisfied. You are already suddenly rich. You people suddenly reign as kings – apart from us! [note: these three statements could also be questions: Are you'85 Are you'85 Do you'85?] And would that you surely did reign, so that we could also reign as kings together with you!
9 Indeed, it continues seeming to me that (or: I regularly suppose that; I am presently thinking and imagining that) God shows us off (exhibits us) – the last ones sent off with a mission (or: the emissaries and representatives put on display last) – as men condemned to die in the public arena [e.g., as gladiators, or as thrown to the lions], because we were made to be a theater for the world (or: to the organized and controlling System of culture, religion, economy and politics; or: in the secular society), as well as for agents (or: to and among messengers), and even for humanity (or: to mankind; among people).
10 We [are] stupid folks (fools; ones led by nonsense) because of Christ, yet you folks [are] sensible and intelligent ones (ones with understanding) within and in union with Christ; we [are] weak ones, yet you people [are] strong ones; you [are] folks in glory and illustrious reputation, yet we [are] dishonored and unvalued ones.
11 Until the present hour (or: Up to now – this very minute), we also continue being hungry, constantly thirsty, habitually naked (= scantily clothed), repeatedly being struck on the ear with a fist (= treated roughly) and are continuously unsettled (= homeless and wanderers).
12 Further, we continue toiling (laboring) to weariness – habitually active in work with our own hands [note: the Greek culture despised manual labor]. Being constantly insulted (reviled; cursed; verbally abused), we are repeatedly speaking words of goodness (or: blessing); being habitually pursued and persecuted, we are continuously holding up (or: holding back [i.e., from retaliation]);
13 being incessantly defamed (slandered; plied with ill-rumors; other MSS: blasphemed), we regularly called them to our sides (normally entreated and offered assistance). We were made to be as that which comes from cleaning all around (as the off-scouring results; as the filthy refuses) of the world (from the organized System of culture, religion, economy and government) – wiped-off filth and scum of all things and all people – until right now!
14 I am not continuing to write these things [to be] constantly shaming you folks (or: turning you back within yourselves), but to the contrary, as my beloved children (loved born-ones), I am progressively placing things in your minds.
15 For should you folks proceed to have a vast multitude (a myriad; ten thousand) of child-escorts and guardians within Christ (or: tutors or educators in an Anointing), in contrast [you do] not [have] many fathers, because in one moment I myself fathered (gave birth to; generated) you people within and in union with Christ Jesus – through means of the message of abundant wellness (the news of fortunate and ideal ease; the news of goodness).
16 Therefore, I am repeatedly performing as a paraclete for you (calling you to my side to aid, comfort, encourage and advise you). Progressively come to be (or: Keep on becoming) my imitators (ones who copy or mimic me).
17 Because of this, I sent Timothy to you folks – he who is my beloved child (loved born-one) and one full of faith (or: a loyal, reliable, faithful and trustworthy person) within and in union with [the] Lord [= Christ or Yahweh], who will continue calling you back to remembrance (will be repeatedly reminding you) of my ways (roads; paths) – the ones in union with an Anointing [other MSS: in the midst of Christ Jesus (or: in {the} Anointing of Jesus); others: within {the} Lord Jesus; others: in Jesus] – correspondingly as (according as; along the lines as and to the level as) I am habitually teaching everywhere, within the midst of every called-out community (ecclesia; summoned forth covenant assembly).
18 Now certain ones were puffed up (= became arrogant), as though I [were] not proceeding to be coming to you.
19 Yet I will proceed quickly (speedily) coming to you folks, if the Lord [= Christ or Yahweh] should intend (purpose; will) [it], and I will progress in knowing by intimate experience not the word (thought; idea; message; verbal expression) of those having been puffed up, but to the contrary, [their] ability and power.
20 For God's reign (or: the kingdom and sovereignty which is God; the sovereign influence or activity from God) [is; lies] not within an idea (a thought; a word; a message; a verbal expression), but rather within ability, in union with capability, or in the midst of power.
21 What do you folks want (presently desire; normally intend; by habit purpose)? Should I come to you people within [the realm of] a rod (staff; = with corrective measures), or within love, and in a spirit of gentle and tender kindness (or: meekness)?