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          DASV: 1 Corinthians 4    

1 This is how you should think about us, as servants of Christ,
and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Here is what 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 any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.
4 For I am not conscious of anything against myself; yet just because
of that I am not necessarily acquitted. But it is the Lord who
judges me.
5 So judge nothing before the time, wait until the Lord comes. He
will bring to light the things hidden in darkness, and will expose
the motives of the heart. Then each one will have the appropriate
commendation from God.
6 Now these things, brothers, I have applied to myself and Apollos for
your sakes; so that through us you might learn not to go beyond what
is written; so that none of you will be puffed up by comparisons
one against another.
7 For what makes you so special? What do you have that you did not
receive? But if you received it, why do you boast as if you did not
receive it?
8 Already you are satisfied, already you are rich, you have become
kings without us. I wish that you had in fact become kings, so that
we also might reign with you.
9 For, I think, God has exhibited us the apostles last of all, as men
condemned to death, for we have become a spectacle to the world,
both to humans and angels.
10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are so wise in Christ. We
are weak, but you are so strong. You are held up to such honor, but
we are dishonored.
11 Even to this present hour we are hungry and thirsty, clothed in rags,
beaten up and homeless.
12 We labor working with our own hands. When insulted, we bless;
when persecuted, we endure it;
13 when slandered, we answer affably, we are made the trash of the
earth, the refuse of all things, even until now.
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to correct you as
my beloved children.
15 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do
not have many fathers. For in Christ Jesus I became your father
through the gospel.
16 So I urge you, be imitators of me.
17 This is why I sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful
child in the Lord. He will put you in remembrance of my ways in
Christ, even as I teach them everywhere in every church.
18 Now some of you have become arrogant, assuming that I was not
coming to you.
19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills; and I will find
out not about their arrogant talk, but their power.
20 For the kingdom of God is not just talk, but power.
21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a disciplinary rod,
or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

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