4. For I am not conscious of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this. The One who evaluates me is the Lord.
5. Therefore don’t judge anything prematurely, before the Lord comes, who will both bring to light what is hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the hearts. And then praise will come to each one from God.
6. Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the saying: “Nothing beyond what is written.” The purpose is that none of you will be inflated with pride in favor of one person over another.
7. For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you didn’t receive? If, in fact, you did receive it, why do you boast as if you hadn’t received it?
8. You are already full! You are already rich! You have begun to reign as kings without us — and I wish you did reign, so that we could also reign with you!
9. For I think God has displayed us, the apostles, in last place, like men condemned to die: We have become a spectacle to the world and to angels and to men.
10. We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored!
11. Up to the present hour we are both hungry and thirsty; we are poorly clothed, roughly treated, homeless;
12. we labor, working with our own hands. When we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;
13. when we are slandered, we respond graciously. Even now, we are like the world’s garbage, like the dirt everyone scrapes off their sandals.