1 Corinthians 3:18-4:16

English Standard Version

^18 (A)Let no one deceive himself. ^(B)If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. ¹⁹ For ^(C)the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, ^(D)“He catches the wise in their craftiness,” ²⁰ and again, ^(E)“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” ²¹ So ^(F)let no one boast in men. For ^(G)all things are yours, ²² whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, ²³ and ^(H)you are Christ's, and ^(I)Christ is God's.

The Ministry of Apostles

4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and ^(J)stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover, it 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 (K)For I am not aware of anything against myself, ^(L)but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. ⁵ Therefore ^(M)do not pronounce judgment before the time, ^(N)before the Lord comes, ^(O)who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. ^(P)Then each one will receive his commendation from God.

⁶ I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers,^[a] that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may ^(Q)be puffed up in favor of one against another. ⁷ For who sees anything different in you? ^(R)What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?

⁸ Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! ⁹ For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, ^(S)like men sentenced to death, because we ^(T)have become a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. ^10 (U)We are fools for Christ's sake, but ^(V)you are wise in Christ. ^(W)We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. ¹¹ To the present hour ^(X)we hunger and thirst, we are poorly dressed and ^(Y)buffeted and ^(Z)homeless, ¹² and we ^(AA)labor, working with our own hands. ^(AB)When reviled, we bless; ^(AC)when persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when slandered, we entreat. ^(AD)We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, ^(AE)the refuse of all things.

¹⁴ I do not write these things ^(AF)to make you ashamed, but to admonish you ^(AG)as my beloved children. ¹⁵ For ^(AH)though you have countless^[b] guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For ^(AI)I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. ¹⁶ I urge you, then, ^(AJ)be imitators of me.