1 Corinthians 4

1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

1 因此，人应该把我们当作是基督的仆人，是上帝奥秘事的管家。

2 Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.

2 对管家的要求是忠心。

3 I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

3 我对你们或别人给我的评价毫不介意，我也不评价我自己。

4 My conscience is clear, but that does not vindicate me. It is the Lord who judges me.

4 就算我今日问心无愧，也不能自以为义，因为评价我的是主。

5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

5 所以，时候未到，不可妄下断语。到主耶稣再来的时候，祂会曝光暗中的隐情，揭开人心里的动机。到时候上帝会给各人应得的称赞。

6 Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.

6 弟兄姊妹，为了你们的益处，我以自己和亚波罗作例子，好让你们效法我们不越过圣经的准则，免得有人自高自大、厚此薄彼。

7 For who makes you so superior? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

7 谁使你与众不同呢？你有哪一样不是领受的呢？既然一切都是领受的，你为什么还自夸，好像不是领受的？

8 Already you have all you want. Already you have become rich. Without us, you have become kings. How I wish you really were kings, so that we might be kings with you!

8 你们已经饱足了，富有了，不需要我们，自己已经做王了。我倒希望你们真的做王了，好让我们也和你们一同做王。

9 For it seems to me that God has displayed us apostles at the end of the procession, like prisoners appointed for death. We have become a spectacle to the whole world, to angels as well as to men.

9 我想，上帝把我们使徒排在队伍的末尾，好像被判死罪的囚犯，让我们成了一台戏，给宇宙观看，给天使和世人观看。

10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.

10 我们为基督的缘故成了愚昧人，你们在基督里倒成了聪明人；我们软弱，你们倒刚强；你们受人尊敬，我们倒被人藐视。

11 To this very hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.

11 我们至今还是又饥又渴，衣不蔽体，遭受毒打，居无定所，

12 We work hard with our own hands. When we are vilified, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it;

12 还要亲手劳作。我们被人咒骂，就为对方祝福；受人迫害，就逆来顺受；

13 when we are slandered, we answer gently. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world.

13 被人毁谤，就好言相劝。人们至今仍将我们看作世上的废物，万物中的渣滓。

14 I am not writing this to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

14 我之所以写这些事，并非叫你们羞愧，而是像劝诫我亲爱的儿女一样劝诫你们。

15 Even if you have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

15 你们虽然在基督里有千万个导师，却没有许多父亲，因为我借着福音在基督耶稣里成为你们的父亲。

16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.

16 所以，我劝你们效法我。

17 That is why I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which is exactly what I teach everywhere in every church.

17 正因如此，我派了提摩太去你们那里。他在主里忠心耿耿，是我所爱的孩子。他会提醒你们我在基督里如何行事为人，在各地、各教会如何教导人。

18 Some of you have become arrogant, as if I were not coming to you.

18 你们当中有些人以为我不会再去你们那里，就傲慢自大起来。

19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only what these arrogant people are saying, but what power they have.

19 但主若许可，我会很快去你们那里。那时我要看看这些骄傲的人究竟是只会空谈，还是真有上帝的权能。

20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

20 因为上帝的国不在于空谈，而在于权能。

21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a gentle spirit?

21 到底你们要什么呢？要我带着刑杖去呢？还是要我带着温柔慈爱的心去呢？