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1 Corinthians 4 (AMP)

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¹ SO THEN, let us be looked upon as ministering servants of Christ and stewards (trustees) of the mysteries (the secret purposes) of God. ² Moreover, it is required of stewards that a man should be found faithful . ³ But it matters very little to me that I should be put on trial by you , and that you or any other human tribunal should investigate and question and cross-question me. I do not even put myself on trial and judge myself. ⁴ I am not conscious of anything against myself, and I feel blameless; but I am not vindicated and acquitted before God on that account. It is the Lord Who examines and judges me. ⁵ So do not make any hasty or premature judgments before the time when the Lord comes , for He will both bring to light the secret things that are in darkness and disclose and expose the aims (motives and purposes) of hearts. Then every man will receive his commendation from God. ⁶ Now I have applied all this to myself and Apollos for your sakes, brethren, so that from what I have said of us , you may learn not to go beyond that which is written, that none of you may be puffed up and inflated with pride and boast in favor of one against another. ⁷ For who separates you from the others ? What have you that was not given to you? If then you received it , why do you boast as if you had not received ? ⁸ you are already filled and think you have enough ! Already you have become rich ! , you have ascended your thrones and come into your kingdom without including us! And would that it were true and that you did reign, so that we might be sharing the kingdom with you! ⁹ For it seems to me that God has made an exhibit of us apostles, exposing us to view last sentenced to death . For we have become a spectacle to the world with both men and angels . ¹⁰ We are fools on account of Christ and for His sake, but you are so amazingly wise and prudent in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are highly esteemed, but we are in disrepute and contempt! ¹¹ To this hour we have gone both hungry and thirsty; we wear but one undergarment ; we are roughly knocked about and wander around homeless. ¹² And we still toil unto weariness , working hard with our own hands. When men revile us , we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure it. ¹³ When we are slandered and defamed, we answer softly and bring comfort. We have been made and are now the rubbish and filth of the world . ¹⁴ I do not write this to shame you, but to warn and counsel you as my beloved children. ¹⁵ After all, though you should have ten thousand teachers (guides to direct you) in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the glad tidings (the Gospel). ¹⁶ So I urge and implore you, be imitators of me. ¹⁷ For this very cause I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and trustworthy child in the Lord, who will recall to your minds my methods of proceeding and course of conduct and way of life in Christ, such as I teach everywhere in each of the churches. ¹⁸ Some of you have become conceited and arrogant and pretentious, counting on my not coming to you. ¹⁹ But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will perceive and understand not what the talk of these puffed up and arrogant spirits amount to, but their force (the moral power and excellence of soul they really possess). ²⁰ For the kingdom of God consists of and is based on not talk but power (moral power and excellence of soul). ²¹ Now which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of correction, or with love and in a spirit of gentleness?