New American Standard Bible

New King James Version

Servants of Christ

Let a man regard us in this manner, 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

In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.

2

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

3

But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not 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 against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who 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

Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him 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

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.

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 regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

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

You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, I wish that you had become kings so 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, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to 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 you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.

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 this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;

11

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

12

and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

12

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

13

when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even 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

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

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 you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

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

Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.

16

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

17

For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.

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

Now some have become arrogant, as though 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 to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their 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 does not consist in words but in power.

20

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

21

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

21

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

Parallel

New American Standard Bible

New King James Version

1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4