6 Friends, I have used Apollos and myself as examples to teach you the meaning of the saying, “Follow the rules.” I want you to stop saying that one of us is better than the other.
7 What is so special about you? What do you have that you were not given? And if it was given to you, how can you boast?
8 Are you already satisfied? Are you now rich? Have you become kings while we are still nobodies? I wish you were kings. Then we could have a share in your kingdom.
9 It seems to me that God has put us apostles in the worst possible place. We are like prisoners on their way to death. Angels and the people of this world just laugh at us.
10 Because of Christ we are thought of as fools, but Christ has made you wise. We are weak and hated, but you are powerful and respected.
11 Even today we go hungry and thirsty and don't have anything to wear except rags. We are ill-treated and don't have a place to live.
12 We work hard with our own hands, and when people abuse us, we wish them well. When we suffer, we are patient.