1 Corinthians 4

1So let people regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries.

2Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found faithful.

3But to me it is the least concern to be judged by you or by human judgment. No, I do not even judge myself.

4For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this, but the Lord is the one who judges me.

5So don't judge anything before the proper time, until the Lord comes, who will both expose the secrets of darkness and uncover the intentions of the hearts; then praise will come to each one from God.

6These things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos because of you, so that you might learn through us not to exceed what stands written, so no one of you becomes puffed up for one against the other.

7For who distinguishes you? What do you have that you did not receive? If you received it, why do you boast as though you had not received it?

8Already you have had your fill. Already you have grown rich. Without us you have begun to reign. Yes, would that you had reigned, so we also might reign with you.

9For I think God has displayed us apostles last, as those appointed to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.

10We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are glorious, but we are dishonored.

11Even to this present hour we hunger and thirst and go naked and are buffeted and have no certain dwelling place.

12And we toil, working with our own hands; reviled, we bless; persecuted, we endure.

13Being reviled, we exhort; we were made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all, even until now.

14It is not to shame you that I write these things, but as my beloved children I warn.

15For though you have ten thousand tutors in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I fathered you through the gospel.

16Therefore I urge you, be imitators of me.

17For this reason I sent Timothy to you, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach everywhere in every church.

18Now some have been puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

19But I will come to you soon if the Lord wills, and I will know not the words of those who are puffed up, but the power.

20For the kingdom of God depends not on speech but on power.

21What do you wish? That I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of meekness?