| Chapter 4 |
1 |
Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ, and the dispensers of the mysteries of God. -
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2 |
Here now it is required among the dispensers, that a man be found faithful. -
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3 |
But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by you, or by man's day; but neither do I judge my own self. -
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4 |
For I am not conscious to myself of any thing, yet am I not hereby justified; but he that judgeth me, is the Lord. -
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5 |
Therefore judge not before the time; until the Lord come, who 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 praise from God. -
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6 |
But these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollo, for your sakes; that in us you may learn, that one be not puffed up against the other for another, above that which is written. -
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7 |
For who distinguisheth thee ? Or what hast thou that thou hast not received ? And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it ? -
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8 |
You are now full; you are now become rich; you reign without us; and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you. -
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9 |
For I think that God hath set forth us apostles, the last, as it were men appointed to death: we are made a spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. -
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10 |
We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we without honour. -
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11 |
Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no fixed abode; -
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12 |
And we labour, working with our own hands: we are reviled, and we bless; we are persecuted, and we suffer it. -
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13 |
We are blasphemed, and we entreat; we are made as the refuse of this world, the offscouring of all even until now. -
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14 |
I write not these things to confound you; but I admonish you as my dearest children. -
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15 |
For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you. -
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16 |
Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ. -
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17 |
For this cause have I sent to you Timothy, who is my dearest son and faithful in the Lord; who will put you in mind of my ways, which are in Christ Jesus; as I teach every where in every church. -
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18 |
As if I would not come to you, so some are puffed up. -
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19 |
But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will: and will know, not the speech of them that are puffed up, but the power. -
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20 |
For the kingdom of God is not in speech, but in power. -
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21 |
What will you ? shall I come to you with a rod; or in charity, and in the spirit of meekness ? -
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