For I think, God has exhibited us, the apostles, last of all as men (A)condemned to death, because we (B)have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to mankind. 10 We are (C)fools on account of Christ, but (D)you are prudent in Christ! (E)We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are without honor! 11 Up to this present hour we are both (F)hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed and roughly treated and homeless; 12 and we labor, (G)working with our own hands; when we are (H)verbally abused, we bless; when we are (I)persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we [a]reply as friends; we have (J)become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, even until now.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 4:13 Or conciliate

For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die(A) in the arena. We have been made a spectacle(B) to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ,(C) but you are so wise in Christ!(D) We are weak, but you are strong!(E) You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.(F) 12 We work hard with our own hands.(G) When we are cursed, we bless;(H) when we are persecuted,(I) we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage(J) of the world—right up to this moment.

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