1Let a man so regard us, as ministers of Messiah, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Here, moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man’s judgment: indeed, I do not judge my own self. 4For I know nothing against myself; yet I am not justified by this: but he who judges me is the Lord. 5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then each man shall have his praise from God. 6Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us you might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other. 7For who makes you differ? and what do you have that you did not receive? but if you did receive it, why do you glory as if you had not received it? 8Already you are filled, already you have become rich, you have come to reign without us: yes, and I would that you did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9For, I think, God has set forth us the apostles last of all, as men condemned to death: for we are made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. 10We are fools for Messiah’s sake, but you are wise in Messiah; we are weak, but you are strong; you have glory, but we have dishonor. 11Even to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; 12and we toil, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things, even until now. 14I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15For though you have ten thousand guardians in Messiah, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Messiah Yeshua I fathered you through the gospel. 16I beseech you therefore, be imitators of me. 17For this cause I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, who shall put you in remembrance of my ways which are in Messiah, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 18Now some are puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills; and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21What do you want? shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?