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1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Evangelical Heritage Version
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
Evangelical Heritage Version
God’s Way of Saving People Seems Foolish to Some
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 19 In fact, it is written:
I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will bring to nothing.[a]
20 Where is the wise man? Where is the expert in the Jewish law? Where is the probing thinker of the present age? Has God not shown that the wisdom of this world[b] is foolish? 21 Indeed, since the world through its wisdom did not know God, God in his wisdom decided to save those who believe, through the foolishness of the preached message. 22 Yes, Jews ask for signs, Greeks desire wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified—which is offensive 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 We preach Christ crucified, because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
- 1 Corinthians 1:20 Some witnesses to the text read the world. (“Witnesses to the text” mentioned in footnotes may include Greek manuscripts, lectionaries, translations, and quotations in the church fathers.)
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
New International Version
1 Corinthians 1:18-25
New International Version
Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom
18 For the message of the cross is foolishness(A) to those who are perishing,(B) but to us who are being saved(C) it is the power of God.(D) 19 For it is written:
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[a](E)
20 Where is the wise person?(F) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(G) Has not God made foolish(H) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(I) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(J) those who believe.(K) 22 Jews demand signs(L) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(M) a stumbling block(N) to Jews and foolishness(O) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(P) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(Q) and the wisdom of God.(R) 25 For the foolishness(S) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(T) of God is stronger than human strength.
Footnotes
- 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV)
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New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.