2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom^(A) as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^[a]

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.

⁴ My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,^(A) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,^(B)

¹³ This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom^(A) but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.^[a]

² who testifies to everything he saw—that is, the word of God^(A) and the testimony of Jesus Christ.^(B)

¹⁴ And we have seen and testify^(A) that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.^(B)

⁸ So do not be ashamed^(A) of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner.^(B) Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel,^(C) by the power of God.

¹⁰ on the day^(A) he comes to be glorified^(B) in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.^(C)

⁶ I may indeed be untrained as a speaker,^(A) but I do have knowledge.^(B) We have made this perfectly clear to you in every way.

⁶ God thus confirming our testimony^(A) about Christ among you.