| Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
| 1So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. | 1One should think about us this way--as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. |
| 2Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. | 2Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful. |
| 3I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. | 3So for me, it is a minor matter that I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. |
| 4My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me. | 4For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. The one who judges me is the Lord. |
| 5Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God. | 5So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God. |
| 6Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another. | 6I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us you may learn "not to go beyond what is written," so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of the one against the other. |
| 7For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? | 7For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not? |
| 8Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you! | 8Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you! |
| 9For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men. | 9For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to die, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. |
| 10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. | 10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored! |
| 11To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. | 11To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads. |
| 12We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; | 12We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, |
| 13when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world. | 13when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world's dirt and scum, even now. |
| 14I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children. | 14I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children. |
| 15Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. | 15For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. |
| 16Therefore I urge you to imitate me. | 16I encourage you, then, be imitators of me. |
| 17That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church. | 17For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and faithful son in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. |
| 18Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. | 18Some have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. |
| 19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have. | 19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant people, but also their power. |
| 20For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. | 20For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power. |
| 21Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit? | 21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness? |
|
