1 Let a man so account of us, as of the 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 of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not
mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby
justified: but HE that judgeth me is the Lord.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, WHO both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will
make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have
praise of God.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to
myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye 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 maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou
that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou
glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings
without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign
with you.
9 For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as
it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world,
and 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 honourable, 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
dwellingplace;
12 And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled,
we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we
are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all
things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I
warn you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet
have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you
through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son,
and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my
ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where 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 will, and will know, not the
speech of them which 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 unto
you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
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