1 Corinthians 4:3-14

New International Version

³ I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. ⁴ My conscience^(A) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.^(B) It is the Lord who judges me.^{(C) 5} Therefore judge nothing^(D) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.^(E) He will bring to light^(F) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.^(G)

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.”^(H) Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.^{(I) 7} For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?^(J) And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!^(K) You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! ⁹ For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die^(L) in the arena. We have been made a spectacle^(M) to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. ¹⁰ We are fools for Christ,^(N) but you are so wise in Christ!^(O) We are weak, but you are strong!^(P) 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.^{(Q) 12} We work hard with our own hands.^(R) When we are cursed, we bless;^(S) when we are persecuted,^(T) we endure it; ¹³ when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage^(U) of the world—right up to this moment.

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

¹⁴ I am writing this not to shame you^(V) but to warn you as my dear children.^(W)