18 (A)Take care that no one deceives himself. (B)If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in (C)this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. 19 For (D)the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is (E)the one who catches the wise by their craftiness”; 20 and again, “(F)The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless.” 21 So then, (G)no one is to be boasting in people. For (H)all things belong to you, 22 (I)whether Paul or Apollos or [a]Cephas, or the world or (J)life or death, or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, 23 and (K)you belong to Christ, and (L)Christ belongs to God.

Servants of Christ

This is the way any person is to regard us: as (M)servants of Christ and (N)stewards of (O)the mysteries of God.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:22 Peter’s Aramaic name

18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise(A) by the standards of this age,(B) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness(C) in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a];(D) 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b](E) 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders!(F) All things are yours,(G) 22 whether Paul or Apollos(H) or Cephas[c](I) or the world or life or death or the present or the future(J)—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ,(K) and Christ is of God.

The Nature of True Apostleship

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants(L) of Christ and as those entrusted(M) with the mysteries(N) God has revealed.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:19 Job 5:13
  2. 1 Corinthians 3:20 Psalm 94:11
  3. 1 Corinthians 3:22 That is, Peter