1 Let men this wise esteem us, even as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God.
2 Furthermore it is required of the stewards that they be found faithful.
3 With me is it but a very small thing, that I should be judged of you, either of man's day. No I judge not mine own self.
4 I know nought by myself: yet am I not thereby justified. It is the Lord that judgeth me.
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, which will lighten things that are hid in darkness: and open the counsels of the hearts. And then shall every man have praise of God.
6 These things, brethren, I have described in mine own person, and Apollos, for your sakes - that ye might learn by us that no man count of himself beyond that which is above written: that one swell not against another for any man's cause.
7 For who preferreth thee? What hast thou, that thou hast not received? If thou have received it: why boastest thou as though thou hadst not received it?
8 Now ye are full: now ye are made rich: ye reign as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we might reign with you.
9 Me thinketh that God hath set forth us, which are apostles, for the lowest of all: as it were, men appointed to death. For we are a gazingstock unto the world, and to the angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, and ye are wise through Christ: we are weak, and ye are strong. Ye are honorable, and we are despised.
11 Even unto this day we hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted with fists, and have no certain dwelling place,
12 and labour working with our own hands. We are reviled, and yet we bless. We are persecuted, and suffer it.
13 We are evil spoken of, and we pray. We are made as it were the filthiness of the world, the offscouring of all things, even unto this time.
14 I write not these things to shame you: but as my beloved sons, I warn you.
15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ: yet have ye not many fathers. In Christ Jesus, I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I desire you to follow me.
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, which is my dear son, and faithful in the Lord, which shall put you in remembrance of my ways which I have in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in all congregations.
18 Some swell, as though I would come no more at you:
19 but I will come to you shortly, if God will, and will know not the words of them which swell, but the power.
20 For the Kingdom of God is not in words, but in power.
21 What will ye? Shall I come unto you with a rod, or else in love, and in the spirit of meekness?