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1 Corinthians 1:17-2:7
New International Version
1 Corinthians 1:17-2:7
New International Version
17 For Christ did not send me to baptize,(A) but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom(B) and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness(C) to those who are perishing,(D) but to us who are being saved(E) it is the power of God.(F) 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a](G)
20 Where is the wise person?(H) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(I) Has not God made foolish(J) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(K) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(L) those who believe.(M) 22 Jews demand signs(N) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(O) a stumbling block(P) to Jews and foolishness(Q) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(R) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(S) and the wisdom of God.(T) 25 For the foolishness(U) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(V) of God is stronger than human strength.
26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.(W) Not many of you were wise(X) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(Y) the foolish(Z) 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(AA)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(AB) 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,(AC) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,(AD) holiness(AE) and redemption.(AF) 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[b](AG)
2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom(AH) as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.[c] 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.(AI) 3 I came to you(AJ) in weakness(AK) with great fear and trembling.(AL) 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,(AM) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,(AN) 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.(AO)
God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit
6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature,(AP) but not the wisdom of this age(AQ) or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.(AR) 7 No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery(AS) that has been hidden(AT) and that God destined for our glory before time began.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:31 Jer. 9:24
- 1 Corinthians 2:1 Some manuscripts proclaimed to you God’s mystery
1 Corinthians 1:17-2:7
King James Version
1 Corinthians 1:17-2:7
King James Version
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
20 Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ 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 ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
31 That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
New International Version (NIV) 
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