(KJV) 1 Corinthians 4¹

⥃Servants of Christ

[1] Let a man so account² of us, as of the ministers³ of Christ, and stewards⁴ of the mysteries⁵ of God. [2] Moreover it is required in stewards, that⁶ a man be found faithful. [3] But with me it is⁷ a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment⁸: yea, I judge not mine own self. [4] For⁹ I know¹⁰ nothing by myself; yet¹¹ am I not hereby justified: but¹² he that judgeth me is the Lord. [5] Therefore judge¹³ nothing before the time, until¹⁴ the Lord come, who¹⁵ both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise¹⁶ of God. [6] And these¹⁷ things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and [to] Apollos for¹⁸ your sakes; that ye¹⁹ might learn in us not to think [of men] above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed²⁰ up for one against another. [7] For who²¹ maketh thee to differ²² [from another]? and what²³ hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why²⁴ dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]? [8] Now ye are full²⁵, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without²⁶ us: and I²⁷ would to God ye did²⁸ reign, that we also might reign with you. [9] For I²⁹ think that God hath set forth us the apostles las³⁰t, as³¹ it were appointed to death: for we are³² made a spectacle³³ unto the world, and to angels, and to men³⁴. [10] We [are] fools³⁵ for³⁶ Christ’s sake, but ye [are] wise³⁷ in Christ; we [are] weak³⁸, but ye³⁹ [are] strong; ye [are] honourable, but we⁴⁰ [are] despised. [11] Even unto⁴¹ this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked⁴², and are buffeted⁴³, and have⁴⁴ no certain dwellingplace; [12] And labour⁴⁵, working with our own hands: being reviled⁴⁶, we bless; being persecuted⁴⁷, we suffer it: [13] Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, [and are] the offscouring of all things unto this day.⁴⁸

⥃Paul’s Fatherly Warning

[14] I write⁴⁹ not these things to shame you, but as my⁵⁰ beloved sons I⁵¹ warn [you]. [15] For though ye have⁵² ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet [have ye] not many fathers: for⁵³ in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. [16] Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.⁵⁴ [17] For this cause have I sent⁵⁵ unto you Timotheus, who is⁵⁶ my beloved son, and faithful⁵⁷ in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways⁵⁸ which be in⁵⁹ Christ, as I teach every where in every church. [18] Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you.⁶⁰ [19] But I⁶¹ will come to you shortly, if⁶² the Lord will, and will know, not⁶³ the speech of them which are puffed up, but⁶⁴ the power. [20] For the kingdom of God [is] not in word, but in power.⁶⁵ [21] What will ye? shall⁶⁶ I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and⁶⁷ [in] the spirit of meekness?