1Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1人應當以我們為基督的執事，為神奧祕事的管家。
2In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.
2所求於管家的，是要他有忠心。
3But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by [any] human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself.
3我被你們論斷，或被別人論斷，我都以為極小的事；連我自己也不論斷自己。
4For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.
4我雖不覺得自己有錯，卻也不能因此得以稱義；但判斷我的乃是主。
5Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, [but wait] until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of [men's] hearts; and then each man's praise will come to him from God.
5所以，時候未到，甚麼都不要論斷，只等主來，他要照出暗中的隱情，顯明人心的意念。那時，各人要從神那裡得著稱讚。
6Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you may learn not to exceed what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in behalf of one against the other.
6弟兄們，我為你們的緣故，拿這些事轉比自己和亞波羅，叫你們效法我們不可過於聖經所記，免得你們自高自大，貴重這個，輕看那個。
7For who regards you as superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
7使你與人不同的是誰呢？你有甚麼不是領受的呢；若是領受的，為何自誇，彷彿不是領受的呢？
8You are already filled, you have already become rich, you have become kings without us; and indeed, [I] wish that you had become kings so that we also might reign with you.
8你們已經飽足了！已經豐富了！不用我們，自己就作王了！我願意你們果真作王，叫我們也得與你們一同作王。
9For, I think, God has exhibited us apostles last of all, as men condemned to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men.
9我想神把我們使徒明明列在末後，好像定死罪的囚犯；因為我們成了一臺戲，給世人和天使觀看。
10We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are prudent in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are distinguished, but we are without honor.
10我們為基督的緣故算是愚拙的，你們在基督裡倒是聰明的；我們軟弱，你們倒強壯；你們有榮耀，我們倒被藐視。
11To this present hour we are both hungry and thirsty, and are poorly clothed, and are roughly treated, and are homeless;
11直到如今，我們還是又飢又渴，又赤身露體，又挨打，又沒有一定的住處，
12and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;
12並且勞苦，親手做工。被人咒罵，我們就祝福；被人逼迫，我們就忍受；
13when we are slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become as the scum of the world, the dregs of all things, [even] until now.
13被人毀謗，我們就善勸。直到如今，人還把我們看作世界上的污穢，萬物中的渣滓。
14I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children.
14我寫這話，不是叫你們羞愧，乃是警戒你們，好像我所親愛的兒女一樣。
15For if you were to have countless tutors in Christ, yet [you would] not [have] many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.
15你們學基督的，師傅雖有一萬，為父的卻是不多，因我在基督耶穌裡用福音生了你們。
16Therefore I exhort you, be imitators of me.
16所以，我求你們效法我。
17For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church.
17因此我已打發提摩太到你們那裡去。他在主裡面，是我所親愛，有忠心的兒子。他必提醒你們，記念我在基督裡怎樣行事，在各處各教會中怎樣教導人。
18Now some have become arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.
18有些人自高自大，以為我不到你們那裡去；
19But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I shall find out, not the words of those who are arrogant but their power.
19然而，主若許我，我必快到你們那裡去，並且我所要知道的，不是那些自高自大之人的言語，乃是他們的權能。
20For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power.
20因為神的國不在乎言語，乃在乎權能。
21What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?
21你們願意怎麼樣呢？是願意我帶著刑杖到你們那裡去呢？還是要我存慈愛溫柔的心呢？