{"book":"1 Corinthians","slug":"1-corinthians","ch":4,"genre":"letter","sub":"1 Corinthians","prev":"1-corinthians/3","next":"1-corinthians/5","verses":[{"v":1,"t":"So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.","f":[],"h":"Servants of Christ","style":"reg"},{"v":2,"t":"Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.","f":[]},{"v":3,"t":"I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.","f":[],"style":"reg"},{"v":4,"t":"My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is [the] Lord who judges me.","f":[]},{"v":5,"t":"Therefore 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.","f":[],"style":"reg"},{"v":6,"t":"Brothers, 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.","f":[],"style":"reg"},{"v":7,"t":"For 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]?","f":[]},{"v":8,"t":"Already 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!","f":[],"style":"reg"},{"v":9,"t":"For 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.","f":[]},{"v":10,"t":"We [are] fools for Christ, but you [are] wise in Christ. We [are] weak, but you [are] strong. You [are] honored, but we [are] dishonored.","f":[],"style":"reg"},{"v":11,"t":"To [this] very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.","f":[]},{"v":12,"t":"We work hard with [our] own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure [it];","f":[]},{"v":13,"t":"when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become [the] scum of the earth, [the] refuse of [the world].","f":[]},{"v":14,"t":"I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.","f":[],"h":"Paul’s Fatherly Warning","style":"reg"},{"v":15,"t":"Even 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.","f":[]},{"v":16,"t":"Therefore I urge you to imitate me.","f":[]},{"v":17,"t":"That 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.","f":["BYZ and TR my way of life in Christ,"]},{"v":18,"t":"Some [of you] have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.","f":[],"style":"reg"},{"v":19,"t":"But 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].","f":[]},{"v":20,"t":"For the kingdom of God [is] not a matter of talk but of power.","f":[]},{"v":21,"t":"Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and [with] a gentle spirit?","f":[]}]}