1 Corinthians 4 - International Children’s Bible (ICB)

Apostles of Christ

4 This is what people should think about us: We are servants of Christ. We are the ones God has trusted with his secret truths. 2 A person who is trusted with something must show that he is worthy of that trust. 3 I do not care if I am judged by you or if I am judged by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4 I know of no wrong that I have done. But this does not make me innocent. The Lord is the One who judges me. 5 So do not judge before the right time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light things that are now hidden in darkness. He will make known the secret purposes of people’s hearts. Then God will give everyone the praise he should get.

6 Brothers, I have used Apollos and myself as examples. I did this so that you could learn from us the meaning of the words, “Follow only what is written in the Scriptures.” Then you will not be proud of one man and hate another. 7 Who says that you are better than others? Everything you have was given to you. And if this is so, why do you brag as if you got these things by your own power?

8 You think you have everything you need. You think you are rich. You think you have become kings without us. I wish you really were kings! Then we could be kings together with you. 9 But it seems to me that God has given me and the other apostles the last place. We are like men sentenced to die. We are like a show for the whole world to see—angels and people. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake. But you think you are very wise in Christ. We are weak, but you think you are strong. You receive honor, but we are hated. 11 Even now we still do not have enough to eat or drink or enough clothes. We are often beaten. We have no homes. 12 We work hard with our own hands for our food. People curse us, but we bless them. They hurt us, and we accept it. 13 They say evil things against us, but we say only kind things to them. Even today, we are treated as though we are the garbage of the world—the dirt of the earth.

14 I am not trying to make you feel ashamed. I am writing this to give you a warning as if you were my own dear children. 15 For though you may have 10,000 teachers in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Through the Good News I became your father in Christ Jesus. 16 So I beg you, please be like me. 17 That is why I am sending Timothy to you. He is my son in the Lord. I love Timothy, and he is faithful. He will help you remember the way I live in Christ Jesus. This way of life is what I teach in all the churches everywhere.

18 Some of you have become proud, thinking that I will not come to you again. 19 But I will come very soon if the Lord wants me to. Then I will see what those who are proud can do, not what they say. 20 I want to see this because the kingdom of God is not talk but power. 21 Which do you want: that I come to you with punishment, or that I come with love and gentleness?

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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 - 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 - 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 - 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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