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1 Corinthians 4:14-21
New International Version
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
New International Version
Paul’s Appeal and Warning
14 I am writing this not to shame you(A) but to warn you as my dear children.(B) 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father(C) through the gospel.(D) 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.(E) 17 For this reason I have sent to you(F) Timothy,(G) my son(H) whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.(I)
18 Some of you have become arrogant,(J) as if I were not coming to you.(K) 19 But I will come to you very soon,(L) if the Lord is willing,(M) and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of(N) talk but of power.(O) 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline,(P) or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
1 Corinthians 4:14-21
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Paul’s Fatherly Care
14 I’m not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my dear children.(A) 15 For you can have 10,000 instructors in Christ, but you can’t have many fathers. For I became your father(B) in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me. 17 This is why I have sent(C) Timothy to you. He is my dearly loved and faithful(D) son in the Lord. He will remind you about my ways in Christ Jesus, just as I teach everywhere in every church. 18 Now some are inflated with pride, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon,(E) if the Lord wills, and I will know not the talk but the power of those who are inflated with pride. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. 21 What do you want? Should I come to you with a rod,(F) or in love and a spirit of gentleness?(G)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
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