¹⁸ Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise^(A) by the standards of this age,^(B) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. ¹⁹ For the wisdom of this world is foolishness^(C) in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”^[a];^{(D) 20} and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”^{[b](E) 21} So then, no more boasting about human leaders!^(F) All things are yours,^{(G) 22} whether Paul or Apollos^(H) or Cephas^[c](I) or the world or life or death or the present or the future^(J)—all are yours, ²³ and you are of Christ,^(K) and Christ is of God.

The Nature of True Apostleship

4 This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants^(L) of Christ and as those entrusted^(M) with the mysteries^(N) God has revealed. ² Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 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^(O) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.^(P) It is the Lord who judges me.^{(Q) 5} Therefore judge nothing^(R) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.^(S) He will bring to light^(T) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.^(U)

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.”^(V) Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.^{(W) 7} For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?^(X) And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?