1 Corinthians 4:13-19

13When people say bad things against us, we answer with kind words. We have become like dirty things that people throw away. That is still true, even today.

14I do not write these things to make you ashamed. You are like my own children that I love. So I want to teach you what is right.

15When I told the good news about Jesus Christ to you, I became like a father for you. You may have ten thousand teachers to help you understand the message about Christ. But I am the only person who is like a father for you.

16That is why I want you to copy my example.

17To help you to do that, I have sent Timothy to visit you. He is like a son to me, and I love him very much. He continues to serve the Lord well. He will help you to remember how I live as a Christian. I teach the same things to all groups of Christians everywhere.

18Some people among you have become proud. They think that I will never come back to warn them.

19But I will come to visit you again soon, if the Lord wants me to. Then I will find out what these proud people are really like. It is not just the words that they say. I will find out if they have the power of God.