| New King James Version | NET Bible |
| 1Let a man so consider 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. |
| 2Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. | 2Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful. |
| 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a 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. |
| 4For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. | 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 time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come 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. |
| 6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. | 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 differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it? | 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? |
| 8You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign 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 I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and 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’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, 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 the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. | 11To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads. |
| 12And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; | 12We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, |
| 13being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now. | 13when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world's dirt and scum, even now. |
| 14I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. | 14I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children. |
| 15For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you 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, imitate me. | 16I encourage you, then, be imitators of me. |
| 17For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as 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. |
| 18Now some are puffed up, as though 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 wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. | 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 in word but in power. | 20For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power. |
| 21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? | 21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness? |
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