1In this way, let us be esteemed by you as Ministers of The Messiah and the stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Now, henceforth, it is required in stewards that a man should be found being faithful. 3But to me this is a slight matter that I am judged by you or by any man. I do not even judge myself. 4For I am not troubled over anything in myself, but I am not justified by this, for my judge is THE LORD JEHOVAH. 5Therefore you should judge nothing before the time until THE LORD JEHOVAH will come, who shall illuminate the secrets of darkness and reveal the imaginations of the hearts, and then there shall be praise to each one from God.

6But I have established these things, my brethren, for your sakes concerning my person and that of Apollo, that you may learn by us not to suppose more than whatever is written and that a man should not be lifted up against his fellow man because of anyone. 7For who is investigating you, and what do you have that you have not received? And if you have received, why are you boasting as if it is what you have not received?

8Now you have become full of yourselves and you are made rich and you have reigned without us. But oh, that you had reigned also, that we might reign with you! 9For I suppose that God has appointed us Apostles at last, as for death, that we would be a stage play for the universe, for Angels and for men. 10We are insane because of The Messiah, but you are sensible in The Messiah. We are weak and you are mighty; you are praised and we are despised. 11Until this hour we are hungry and we are thirsty, we are naked, we are abused, and we have no dwelling place, 12And we toil as we labor with our hands. They dishonor us and we bless; they persecute us and we endure. 13They accuse us and we beg them. We are as the scum of the world and the offscouring of every person until now.

14I do not write these things to shame you, but I give admonition as to dear children. 15For if you should have 10,000 instructors in The Messiah, however, there are not many fathers, for in Yeshua The Messiah I have begotten you by The Gospel. 16Therefore, I beg of you that you would imitate me. 17Because of this, I have sent Timotheus to you, who is my beloved son and faithful in THE LORD JEHOVAH, that he may relate my ways to you that are in The Messiah, such things as I teach in all the assemblies. 18But some of you are boisterous as if I am not coming to you, 19But if THE LORD JEHOVAH is willing, soon I shall come to you and I shall know, not the words of those whose souls are lifted up, but their power. 20For The Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. 21How do you want it? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in affection and in a spirit of meekness?