Book of Common Prayer

Consider Us As God’s Assistants And Stewards. Don’t Judge Anything Before The Time

4 Let a person be considering^[a] us in-this-manner: as attendants^[b] of Christ and stewards^[c] of the mysteries of God. ² Here^[d], furthermore, it is sought in^[e] stewards that one be found faithful^[f]. ³ Now to me, it is a very small thing that I should be examined^[g] by you, or by a human day of judgment. But I do not even examine myself ! ⁴ For I am conscious of nothing against myself, but I have not been declared-right^[h] by this, but the One examining me is the Lord. ⁵ So then do not be judging anything before the time, until the Lord comes, Who will both^[i] illuminate the hidden things of the darkness and reveal the motives^[j] of the hearts. And at-that-time the praise^[k] will come to each one from God.

Brothers, Learn From Apollos And Paul Not To Be Puffed Up About God’s Ministers

⁶ Now brothers, I applied^[l] these things to myself and Apollos for your sakes, in order that in us you might learn the saying “Do not go^[m] beyond the things which have been written”— in order that you might not be puffed-up, one on behalf of the one against the other. ⁷ For who discerns^[n] you to be superior? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if indeed you received it, why do you boast as-though not having received it?

For God Has Displayed Us Apostles As Last And Lowest In This World

⁸ You are already satisfied^[o]! You already became-rich! You became-kings^[p] without us! And o-that indeed you became-kings, in order that we also might reign with you. ⁹ For I think God displayed^[q] us the apostles as last^[r], like ones condemned-to-death— because we were-made^[s] a spectacle^[t] to the world, both to angels and to people. ¹⁰ We are foolish ones for the sake of Christ, but you are wise ones in Christ. We are weak ones, but you are strong ones. You are distinguished ones, but we are dishonored ones. ¹¹ Until the present hour indeed we hunger, and thirst, and are naked^[u], and are beaten, and live-transiently^[v], ¹² and labor— working with our own hands. ¹³ While being reviled^[w], we bless; while being persecuted, we endure; while being slandered, we conciliate^[x]. We were-made^[y] like the sweepings^[z] of the world, the scum^[aa] of all things, up to now.

I Am Writing To Admonish You As My Children. Be Imitators of Me

¹⁴ I am writing these things not shaming you, but admonishing you as my beloved children. ¹⁵ For if you should have ten-thousand tutors^[ab] in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers. For I fathered you in Christ Jesus through the good-news. ¹⁶ Therefore I exhort you— be^[ac] imitators of me.

John Points His Disciples To The Lamb of God. Andrew And Peter Find The Messiah

³⁵ On the next day John was again standing there, and two of his disciples. ³⁶ And having looked at Jesus walking, he says, “Look— the Lamb of God”. ³⁷ And the two disciples heard him speaking, and followed Jesus. ³⁸ And Jesus, having turned and seen them following, says to them, “What are you seeking?” And the ones said to Him, “Rabbi (which being translated means “Teacher”), where are You staying?” ³⁹ He says to them, “Come, and you will see”. So they went, and saw where He was staying, and stayed with Him that day. The hour was about the tenth^[a]. ⁴⁰ Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two having heard it from John, and having followed Him. ⁴¹ This one first finds his own brother Simon, and says to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which being translated is “Christ”). ⁴² He brought him to Jesus. Having looked-at him, Jesus said, “You are Simon, the son of John. You will be called Cephas^[b]” (which is translated “Peter”).