| English Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. | 1One should think about us this way--as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. |
| 2Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. | 2Now what is sought in stewards is that one be found faithful. |
| 3But 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. | 3So for me, it is a minor matter that I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. |
| 4For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. | 4For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not acquitted because of this. The one who judges me is the Lord. |
| 5Therefore 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. | 5So then, do not judge anything before the time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the motives of hearts. Then each will receive recognition from God. |
| 6I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, 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. | 6I have applied these things to myself and Apollos because of you, brothers and sisters, so that through us you may learn "not to go beyond what is written," so that none of you will be puffed up in favor of the one against the other. |
| 7For 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? | 7For who concedes you any superiority? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you received it, why do you boast as though you did not? |
| 8Already 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! | 8Already you are satisfied! Already you are rich! You have become kings without us! I wish you had become kings so that we could reign with you! |
| 9For 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. | 9For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to die, because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to people. |
| 10We 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. | 10We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored! |
| 11To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and buffeted and homeless, | 11To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, brutally treated, and without a roof over our heads. |
| 12and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; | 12We do hard work, toiling with our own hands. When we are verbally abused, we respond with a blessing, when persecuted, we endure, |
| 13when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. | 13when people lie about us, we answer in a friendly manner. We are the world's dirt and scum, even now. |
| 14I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. | 14I am not writing these things to shame you, but to correct you as my dear children. |
| 15For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. | 15For though you may have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, because I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. |
| 16I urge you, then, be imitators of me. | 16I encourage you, then, be imitators of me. |
| 17That is why I sent 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. | 17For this reason, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my dear and faithful son in the Lord. He will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. |
| 18Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. | 18Some have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you. |
| 19But 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. | 19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant people, but also their power. |
| 20For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. | 20For the kingdom of God is demonstrated not in idle talk but with power. |
| 21What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness? | 21What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline or with love and a spirit of gentleness? |
|
