New King James Version

English Standard Version

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

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

1

The Ministry of Apostles

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

2

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

2

Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

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.

3

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

4

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

4

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

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.

5

Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

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.

6

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers,a that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

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?

7

For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

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!

8

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!

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.

9

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men.

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!

10

We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.

11

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

11

To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless,

12

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

12

and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure;

13

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

13

when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

14

Paul’s Paternal Care

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

14

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

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.

15

For though you have countlessb guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

16

Therefore I urge you, imitate me.

16

I urge you, then, be imitators of me.

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.

17

That is why I sentc you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ,d as I teach them everywhere in every church.

18

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

18

Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.

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.

19

But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.

20

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

20

For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

21

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

21

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

Parallel

New King James Version

English Standard Version

1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4