1Corinthians:4

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* This is how one should regard us , as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God . * Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy . * But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court . I do not even judge myself . * I am not aware of anything against myself , but I am not thereby acquitted . It is the Lord who judges me . * 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 every man will receive his commendation from God . * I have applied all this to myself and Apol 'los for your benefit , brethren , 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 . * For who sees anything different in you ? What have you that you did not receive ? If then you received it , why do you boast as if it were not a gift ? * Already you are filled ! 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 ! * 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 . * 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 . * To the present hour we hunger and thirst , we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless , * and we labor , working with our own hands . When reviled , we bless ; when persecuted , we endure ; * when slandered , we try to conciliate ; we have become , and are now , as the refuse of the world , the offscouring of all things . * I do not write this to make you ashamed , but to admonish you as my beloved children . * For though you have countless guides in Christ , you do not have many fathers . For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel . * I urge you , then , be imitators of me . * Therefore I sent to you Timothy , my beloved and faithful child in the Lord , to remind you of my ways in Christ , as I teach them everywhere in every church . * Some are arrogant , as though I were not coming to you . * 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 . * For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power . * What do you wish ? Shall I come to you with a rod , or with love in a spirit of gentleness ?

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