1 Corinthians 1:17-25

New International Version

¹⁷For 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

¹⁸For 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) ¹⁹For it is written:

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

²⁰Where 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? ²¹For 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) ²²Jews demand signs^(N) and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified:^(O) a stumbling block^(P) to Jews and foolishness^(Q) to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called,^(R) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God^(S) and the wisdom of God.^(T) ²⁵For the foolishness^(U) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness^(V) of God is stronger than human strength.

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Footnotes

1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14

Psalm 33:1-11

New International Version

Psalm 33

¹Sing joyfully^(A) to the Lord, you righteous;
    it is fitting^(B) for the upright^(C) to praise him.
²Praise the Lord with the harp;^(D)
    make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.^(E)
³Sing to him a new song;^(F)
    play skillfully, and shout for joy.^(G)

⁴For the word of the Lord is right^(H) and true;^(I)
he is faithful^(J) in all he does.
⁵The Lord loves righteousness and justice;^(K)
the earth is full of his unfailing love.^(L)

⁶By the word^(M) of the Lord the heavens were made,^(N)
    their starry host^(O) by the breath of his mouth.
⁷He gathers the waters^(P) of the sea into jars^[a];^(Q)
    he puts the deep into storehouses.
⁸Let all the earth fear the Lord;^(R)
    let all the people of the world^(S) revere him.^(T)
⁹For he spoke, and it came to be;
    he commanded,^(U) and it stood firm.

¹⁰The Lord foils^(V) the plans^(W) of the nations;^(X)
he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
¹¹But the plans of the Lord stand firm^(Y) forever,
the purposes^(Z) of his heart through all generations.

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Footnotes

Psalm 33:7 Or sea as into a heap

Matthew 25:1-13

New International Version

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25 “At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like^(A) ten virgins who took their lamps^(B) and went out to meet the bridegroom.^(C) ²Five of them were foolish and five were wise.^(D) ³The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. ⁴The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. ⁵The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.^(E)

⁶“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

⁷“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. ⁸The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’^(F)

⁹“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

¹⁰“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet.^(G) And the door was shut.

¹¹“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

¹²“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’^(H)

¹³“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.^(I)

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