1st Corinthians — 4
Shaul’s Relationship with the Corinthians
1 So look at Apollos and me as mere servants of Ha'Mashyach who have been put in charge of explaining the mysteries of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
2 Now, a person who is put in charge as a manager must be faithful.
3 As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any man's authority. I do not even trust my own judgment on this point.
4 My conscience is clear, but that does not prove I am right. It is 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH himself who will examine me and decide.
5 So do not make judgments about anyone ahead of the return of Ha'Mashyach, For He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH will give to each one whatever Yadah (praise) is due them.
6 Dear brothers and sisters, I have used Apollos and myself to illustrate what I have been saying. If you pay attention to what I have quoted from the Scriptures, you will not be proud of one of your leaders at the expense of another.
7 For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has not given you? And if everything you have is from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, why boast as though it were not a gift?
8 You think you already have everything you need. You think you are already rich. You have begun to reign in the kingdom of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH without us! I wish you really were reigning already, for then we would be reigning with you.
9 Instead, I sometimes think 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has put us Shaliachs on display, like prisoners of war at the end of a victor’s parade, condemned to die. We have become a spectacle to the entire world, to people and Malakym alike.
10 Our dedication to Ha'Mashyach makes us look like fools, but you claim to be so wise in Ha'Mashyach! We are weak, but you are so powerful! You are honored, but we are ridiculed.
11 Even now we go hungry and thirsty, and we do not have enough clothes to keep warm. We are often beaten and have no home.
12 We work wearily with our own hands to earn our living. We barak those who curse us. We are patient with those who abuse us.
13 We appeal gently when evil things are said about us. Yet we are treated like the garbage of the world, like everybody’s trash, right up to the present moment.
14 I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.
15 For even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Ha'Mashyach, you have only one father. For I became your father in 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA Ha'Mashyach when I preached the Basurah (Good News) to you.
16 So I urge you to imitate me.
17 That is why I have sent Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. He will remind you of how I follow 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤔𐤏_YAHUSHA Ha'Mashyach, just as I teach in all the Qadash Assemblies wherever I go.
18 Some of you have become arrogant, thinking I will not visit you again.
19 But I will come and soon if 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH lets me, and then I will find out whether these arrogant people just give pretentious speeches or whether they really have the power of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
20 For the Kingdom of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is not just a lot of talk; it is living by the power of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH.
21 Which do you choose? Should I come with a rod to punish you, or should I come with love and a gentle ruach?