Add parallel Print Page Options

19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise.
    I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing.”Isaiah 29:14

20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn’t God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn’t know God, it was God’s good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe. 22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God; 25 because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that don’t exist, that he might bring to nothing the things that exist, 29 that no flesh should boast before God.

Read full chapter

19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a](A)

20 Where is the wise person?(B) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(C) Has not God made foolish(D) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(E) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(F) those who believe.(G) 22 Jews demand signs(H) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(I) a stumbling block(J) to Jews and foolishness(K) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(L) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(M) and the wisdom of God.(N) 25 For the foolishness(O) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(P) of God is stronger than human strength.

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.(Q) Not many of you were wise(R) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(S) the foolish(T) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not(U)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(V)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14