1 Corinthians 4:9-21

9For I think that 1God has set us the apostles for the last, as appointed to death. For we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and men. 10We [are] fools for Christ's sake, but ye prudent in Christ: we weak, but ye strong: ye glorious, but we in dishonour. 11To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and are in nakedness, and buffeted, and wander without a home, 12and labour, working with our own hands. Railed at, we bless; persecuted, we suffer [it]; 13insulted, we entreat: we are become as [the] offscouring of the world, [the] refuse of all, until now. 14Not [as] chiding do I write these things to you, but as my beloved children I admonish [you]. 15For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the glad tidings. 16I entreat you therefore, be my imitators. 17For this reason I have sent to you Timotheus, who is my beloved and faithful child in [the] Lord, who shall put you in mind of my ways [as] they [are] in Christ, according as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 18But some have been puffed up, as if I were not coming to you; 19but I will come quickly to you, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of those that are puffed up, but the power. 20For the kingdom of 2God [is] not in word, but in power. 21What will ye? that I come to you with a rod; or in love, and [in] a spirit of meekness?