1 Corinthians 4 - GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

The Work of the Apostles

4 People should think of us as servants of Christ and managers who are entrusted with God’s mysteries. 2 Managers are required to be trustworthy.

3 It means very little to me that you or any human court should cross-examine me. I don’t even ask myself questions. 4 I have a clear conscience, but that doesn’t mean I have God’s approval. It is the Lord who cross-examines me. 5 Therefore, don’t judge anything before the appointed time. Wait until the Lord comes. He will also bring to light what is hidden in the dark and reveal people’s motives. Then each person will receive praise from God.

6 Brothers and sisters, I have applied this to Apollos and myself for your sake. You should learn from us not to go beyond what is written in Scripture. Then you won’t arrogantly place one of us in opposition to the other.

7 Who says that you are any better than other people? What do you have that wasn’t given to you? If you were given what you have, why are you bragging as if it weren’t a gift?

8 You already have what you want! You’ve already become rich! You’ve become kings without us! I wish you really were kings so that we could be kings with you.

9 As I see it, God has placed us apostles last in line, like people condemned to die. We have become a spectacle for people and angels to look at. 10 We have given up our wisdom for Christ, but you have insight because of Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. 11 To this moment, we are hungry, thirsty, poorly dressed, roughly treated, and homeless. 12 We wear ourselves out doing physical labor. When people verbally abuse us, we bless them. When people persecute us, we endure it. 13 When our reputations are attacked, we remain courteous. Right now we have become garbage in the eyes of the world and trash in the sight of all people.

14 I’m not writing this to make you feel ashamed but to instruct you as my dear children. 15 You may have countless Christian guardians, but you don’t have many ⌞spiritual⌟ fathers. I became your father in the Christian life by telling you the Good News about Christ Jesus. 16 So I encourage you to imitate me. 17 That’s why I’ve sent Timothy to you to help you remember my Christian way of life as I teach it everywhere in every church. Timothy is my dear child, and he faithfully does the Lord’s work.

18 Some of you have become arrogant because you think I won’t pay you a visit. 19 If it’s the Lord’s will, I’ll visit you soon. Then I’ll know what these arrogant people are saying and what power they have. 20 God’s kingdom is not just talk, it is power.

21 When I come to visit you, would you prefer that I punish you or show you love and a gentle spirit?

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1 Corinthians 4 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

4 Let a man so reckon us as officers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God, 2 and as to the rest, it is required in the stewards that one may be found faithful, 3 and to me it is for a very little thing that by you I may be judged, or by man's day, but not even myself do I judge, 4 for of no...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

4 So a man guess us [So a man guess, or deem, us], as ministers of Christ, and dispensers of the mysteries of God. 2 Now it is sought here among the dispensers, that a man be found true. 3 And to me it is for the least thing, that I be deemed of you, or of man's day; but neither I deem myself. 4 ...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

4 People should look at us as men who are servants of Christ. We take care of the secret things of God. 2 A man who takes care of things must be a person his master can trust. 3 As for me, I care very little what you think about me or how any man judges me. I do not even judge myself. 4 I do not kno...
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1 Corinthians 4 - World English Bible (WEB)

4 So let a man think of us as Christ’s servants, and stewards of God’s mysteries. 2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you, or by man’s judgment. Yes, I don’t judge my own self. 4 For I know not...
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1 Corinthians 4 - The Voice (VOICE)

4 Rather than power brokers, think of us as servants of the Anointed One, the Liberating King, caretakers of the mysteries of God. 2 Because we are in this particular role, it is especially important that we are people of fidelity and integrity. 3 It makes little difference to me how you or any hu...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Learning to Imitate Messiah’s Emissary4 So let each one think of us in this way—as Messiah’s helpers and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, what is required of stewards is to be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it matters very little to be judged by you or by any human court...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Ministry of the Apostles4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not ev...
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1 Corinthians 4 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

4 Let a man so think of us, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 And as for the rest, it is required of the stewards that everyone be found faithful. 3 As for me, however, it is my least concern to be examined by you, or by mankind. I do not even examine myself. 4 For thoug...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

Judgment Then Rather Than Now4 This is how we should be thought of: as servants of the Messiah, and household managers for God’s mysteries. 2 And this is what follows: the main requirement for a manager is to be trustworthy. 3 Having said that, I regard it as a matter of minimal concern to think t...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Ministry of the Apostles4 Think of us in this way: as servants of Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.(A)2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myse...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

Those who preach are but servants. Judgment belongs to God only.4 Let people esteem us this way: as the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the secrets of God. 2 Furthermore, it is required of the stewards that they be found faithful. 3 With me it is but a very small thing if I am judged by you, ...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Paul’s Relationship with the Corinthians4 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Christ who have been put in charge of explaining God’s mysteries. 2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful. 3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any ...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New Life Version (NLV)

Servants of Christ4 Think of us as servants who are owned by Christ. It is our job to share the secrets of God. 2 A servant must be faithful to his owner. This is expected of him. 3 It is not the most important thing to me what you or any other people think of me. Even what I think of myself does ...
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1 Corinthians 4 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Stewards of the Mysteries of God4 Let a man so consider us, as (A)servants of Christ (B)and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human [a]court. In fact, I d...
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