Darby Bible Translation

New King James Version

Servants of Christ

Let a man so account of us as servants of Christ, and stewards of [the] mysteries of God.

1

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2

Here, further, it is sought in stewards, that a man be found faithful.

2

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

3

But for me it is the very smallest matter that I be examined of you or of man's day. Nor do I even examine myself.

3

But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human [a]court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

4

For I am conscious of nothing in myself; but I am not justified by this: but he that examines me is the Lord.

4

For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.

5

So that do not judge anything before [the] time, until the Lord shall come, who shall also both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and shall make manifest the counsels of hearts; and then shall each have [his] praise from God.

5

Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the [b]counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.

6

Do Not Be Proud

Now these things, brethren, I have transferred, in their application, to myself and Apollos, for your sakes, that ye may learn in us the [lesson of] not [letting your thoughts go] above what is written, that ye may not be puffed up one for [such a] one against another.

6

Fools for Christ’s Sake

Now 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 [c]puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

7

For who makes thee to differ? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? but if also thou hast received, why boastest thou as not receiving?

7

For who [d]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?

8

Already ye are filled; already ye have been enriched; ye have reigned without us; and I would that ye reigned, that *we* also might reign with you.

8

You 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!

9

For I think that God has set us the apostles for the last, as appointed to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men.

9

For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle [e]to the world, both to angels and to men.

10

*We* [are] fools for Christ's sake, but *ye* prudent in Christ: *we* weak, but *ye* strong: *ye* glorious, but *we* in dishonour.

10

We 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!

11

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are in nakedness, and buffeted, and wander without a home,

11

To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless.

12

and labour, working with our own hands. Railed at, we bless; persecuted, we suffer [it];

12

And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure;

13

insulted, we entreat: we are become as [the] offscouring of the world, [the] refuse of all, until now.

13

being defamed, we [f]entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

14

Paul Warns his Spiritual Children

Not [as] chiding do I write these things to you, but as my beloved children I admonish [you].

14

Paul’s Paternal Care

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you.

15

For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus *I* have begotten you through the glad tidings.

15

For 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.

16

I entreat you therefore, be my imitators.

16

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

17

For this reason I have sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved and faithful child in [the] Lord, who shall put you in mind of my ways [as] they [are] in Christ, according as I teach everywhere in every assembly.

17

For 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.

18

But some have been puffed up, as if I were not coming to you;

18

Now some are [g]puffed up, as though I were not coming to you.

19

but I will come quickly to you, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of those that are puffed up, but the power.

19

But 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.

20

For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.

20

For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power.

21

What will ye? that I come to you with a rod; or in love, and [in] a spirit of meekness?

21

What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Parallel

Darby Bible Translation

New King James Version

1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4