1 Corinthians 1-2

New International Version

1 Paul, called to be an apostle^(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,^(B) and our brother Sosthenes,^(C)

²To the church of God^(D) in Corinth,^(E) to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called^(F) to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name^(G) of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

³Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.^(H)

Thanksgiving

⁴I always thank my God for you^(I) because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. ⁵For in him you have been enriched^(J) in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge^(K)— ⁶God thus confirming our testimony^(L) about Christ among you. ⁷Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift^(M) as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.^(N) ⁸He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless^(O) on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.^(P) ⁹God is faithful,^(Q) who has called you^(R) into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.^(S)

A Church Divided Over Leaders

¹⁰I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,^[a]^(T) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you,^(U) but that you be perfectly united^(V) in mind and thought. ¹¹My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household^(W) have informed me that there are quarrels among you. ¹²What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”;^(X) another, “I follow Apollos”;^(Y) another, “I follow Cephas^[b]”;^(Z) still another, “I follow Christ.”

¹³Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?^(AA) ¹⁴I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus^(AB) and Gaius,^(AC) ¹⁵so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶(Yes, I also baptized the household^(AD) of Stephanas;^(AE) beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) ¹⁷For Christ did not send me to baptize,^(AF) but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom^(AG) 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^(AH) to those who are perishing,^(AI) but to us who are being saved^(AJ) it is the power of God.^(AK) ¹⁹For it is written:

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

²⁰Where is the wise person?^(AM) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?^(AN) Has not God made foolish^(AO) the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world^(AP) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save^(AQ) those who believe.^(AR) ²²Jews demand signs^(AS) and Greeks look for wisdom, ²³but we preach Christ crucified:^(AT) a stumbling block^(AU) to Jews and foolishness^(AV) to Gentiles, ²⁴but to those whom God has called,^(AW) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God^(AX) and the wisdom of God.^(AY) ²⁵For the foolishness^(AZ) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness^(BA) of God is stronger than human strength.

²⁶Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.^(BB) Not many of you were wise^(BC) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. ²⁷But God chose^(BD) the foolish^(BE) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. ²⁸God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not^(BF)—to nullify the things that are, ²⁹so that no one may boast before him.^(BG) ³⁰It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,^(BH) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,^(BI) holiness^(BJ) and redemption.^(BK) ³¹Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”^[d]^(BL)

2 And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom^(BM) as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.^[e] ²For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.^(BN) ³I came to you^(BO) in weakness^(BP) with great fear and trembling.^(BQ) ⁴My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,^(BR) but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power,^(BS) ⁵so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.^(BT)

God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

⁶We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature,^(BU) but not the wisdom of this age^(BV) or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.^(BW) ⁷No, we declare God’s wisdom, a mystery^(BX) that has been hidden^(BY) and that God destined for our glory before time began. ⁸None of the rulers of this age^(BZ) understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.^(CA) ⁹However, as it is written:

“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”^[f]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—^(CB)

¹⁰these are the things God has revealed^(CC) to us by his Spirit.^(CD)

The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. ¹¹For who knows a person’s thoughts^(CE) except their own spirit^(CF) within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. ¹²What we have received is not the spirit^(CG) of the world,^(CH) but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. ¹³This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom^(CI) but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.^[g] ¹⁴The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God^(CJ) but considers them foolishness,^(CK) and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit. ¹⁵The person with the Spirit^(CL) makes judgments about all things, but such a person is not subject to merely human judgments, ¹⁶for,

“Who has known the mind of the Lord
so as to instruct him?”^[h]^(CM)

But we have the mind of Christ.^(CN)

Footnotes

1 Corinthians 1:10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 11 and 26; and in 2:1; 3:1; 4:6; 6:8; 7:24, 29; 10:1; 11:33; 12:1; 14:6, 20, 26, 39; 15:1, 6, 50, 58; 16:15, 20.
1 Corinthians 1:12 That is, Peter
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 2:9 Isaiah 64:4
1 Corinthians 2:13 Or Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual
1 Corinthians 2:16 Isaiah 40:13

Psalm 119:1-88

New International Version

Psalm 119^[a]

א Aleph

¹Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,^(A)
    who walk^(B) according to the law of the Lord.^(C)
²Blessed^(D) are those who keep his statutes^(E)
    and seek him^(F) with all their heart—^(G)
³they do no wrong^(H)
    but follow his ways.^(I)
⁴You have laid down precepts^(J)
    that are to be fully obeyed.^(K)
⁵Oh, that my ways were steadfast
    in obeying your decrees!^(L)
⁶Then I would not be put to shame^(M)
    when I consider all your commands.^(N)
⁷I will praise you with an upright heart
    as I learn your righteous laws.^(O)
⁸I will obey your decrees;
    do not utterly forsake me.^(P)

ב Beth

⁹How can a young person stay on the path of purity?^(Q)
    By living according to your word.^(R)
¹⁰I seek you with all my heart;^(S)
    do not let me stray from your commands.^(T)
¹¹I have hidden your word in my heart^(U)
    that I might not sin^(V) against you.
¹²Praise be^(W) to you, Lord;
    teach me^(X) your decrees.^(Y)
¹³With my lips I recount
    all the laws that come from your mouth.^(Z)
¹⁴I rejoice in following your statutes^(AA)
    as one rejoices in great riches.
¹⁵I meditate on your precepts^(AB)
    and consider your ways.
¹⁶I delight^(AC) in your decrees;
    I will not neglect your word.

ג Gimel

¹⁷Be good to your servant^(AD) while I live,
    that I may obey your word.^(AE)
¹⁸Open my eyes that I may see
    wonderful things in your law.
¹⁹I am a stranger on earth;^(AF)
    do not hide your commands from me.
²⁰My soul is consumed^(AG) with longing
    for your laws^(AH) at all times.
²¹You rebuke the arrogant,^(AI) who are accursed,^(AJ)
    those who stray^(AK) from your commands.
²²Remove from me their scorn^(AL) and contempt,
    for I keep your statutes.^(AM)
²³Though rulers sit together and slander me,
    your servant will meditate on your decrees.
²⁴Your statutes are my delight;
    they are my counselors.

ד Daleth

²⁵I am laid low in the dust;^(AN)
    preserve my life^(AO) according to your word.^(AP)
²⁶I gave an account of my ways and you answered me;
    teach me your decrees.^(AQ)
²⁷Cause me to understand the way of your precepts,
    that I may meditate on your wonderful deeds.^(AR)
²⁸My soul is weary with sorrow;^(AS)
    strengthen me^(AT) according to your word.^(AU)
²⁹Keep me from deceitful ways;^(AV)
    be gracious to me^(AW) and teach me your law.
³⁰I have chosen^(AX) the way of faithfulness;^(AY)
    I have set my heart^(AZ) on your laws.
³¹I hold fast^(BA) to your statutes, Lord;
    do not let me be put to shame.
³²I run in the path of your commands,
    for you have broadened my understanding.

ה He

³³Teach me,^(BB) Lord, the way of your decrees,
    that I may follow it to the end.^[b]
³⁴Give me understanding,^(BC) so that I may keep your law^(BD)
    and obey it with all my heart.^(BE)
³⁵Direct me^(BF) in the path of your commands,^(BG)
    for there I find delight.^(BH)
³⁶Turn my heart^(BI) toward your statutes
    and not toward selfish gain.^(BJ)
³⁷Turn my eyes away from worthless things;
    preserve my life^(BK) according to your word.^[c]^(BL)
³⁸Fulfill your promise^(BM) to your servant,
    so that you may be feared.
³⁹Take away the disgrace^(BN) I dread,
    for your laws are good.
⁴⁰How I long^(BO) for your precepts!
    In your righteousness preserve my life.^(BP)

ו Waw

⁴¹May your unfailing love^(BQ) come to me, Lord,
    your salvation, according to your promise;^(BR)
⁴²then I can answer^(BS) anyone who taunts me,^(BT)
    for I trust in your word.
⁴³Never take your word of truth from my mouth,^(BU)
    for I have put my hope^(BV) in your laws.
⁴⁴I will always obey your law,^(BW)
    for ever and ever.
⁴⁵I will walk about in freedom,
    for I have sought out your precepts.^(BX)
⁴⁶I will speak of your statutes before kings^(BY)
    and will not be put to shame,^(BZ)
⁴⁷for I delight^(CA) in your commands
    because I love them.^(CB)
⁴⁸I reach out for your commands, which I love,
    that I may meditate^(CC) on your decrees.

ז Zayin

⁴⁹Remember your word^(CD) to your servant,
    for you have given me hope.^(CE)
⁵⁰My comfort in my suffering is this:
    Your promise preserves my life.^(CF)
⁵¹The arrogant mock me^(CG) unmercifully,
    but I do not turn^(CH) from your law.
⁵²I remember,^(CI) Lord, your ancient laws,
    and I find comfort in them.
⁵³Indignation grips me^(CJ) because of the wicked,
    who have forsaken your law.^(CK)
⁵⁴Your decrees are the theme of my song^(CL)
    wherever I lodge.
⁵⁵In the night, Lord, I remember^(CM) your name,
    that I may keep your law.^(CN)
⁵⁶This has been my practice:
    I obey your precepts.^(CO)

ח Heth

⁵⁷You are my portion,^(CP) Lord;
    I have promised to obey your words.^(CQ)
⁵⁸I have sought^(CR) your face with all my heart;
    be gracious to me^(CS) according to your promise.^(CT)
⁵⁹I have considered my ways^(CU)
    and have turned my steps to your statutes.
⁶⁰I will hasten and not delay
    to obey your commands.^(CV)
⁶¹Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
    I will not forget^(CW) your law.
⁶²At midnight^(CX) I rise to give you thanks
    for your righteous laws.^(CY)
⁶³I am a friend to all who fear you,^(CZ)
    to all who follow your precepts.^(DA)
⁶⁴The earth is filled with your love,^(DB) Lord;
    teach me your decrees.^(DC)

ט Teth

⁶⁵Do good^(DD) to your servant
    according to your word,^(DE) Lord.
⁶⁶Teach me knowledge^(DF) and good judgment,
    for I trust your commands.
⁶⁷Before I was afflicted^(DG) I went astray,^(DH)
    but now I obey your word.^(DI)
⁶⁸You are good,^(DJ) and what you do is good;
    teach me your decrees.^(DK)
⁶⁹Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies,^(DL)
    I keep your precepts with all my heart.
⁷⁰Their hearts are callous^(DM) and unfeeling,
    but I delight in your law.
⁷¹It was good for me to be afflicted^(DN)
    so that I might learn your decrees.
⁷²The law from your mouth is more precious to me
    than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.^(DO)

י Yodh

⁷³Your hands made me^(DP) and formed me;
    give me understanding to learn your commands.
⁷⁴May those who fear you rejoice^(DQ) when they see me,
    for I have put my hope in your word.^(DR)
⁷⁵I know, Lord, that your laws are righteous,^(DS)
    and that in faithfulness^(DT) you have afflicted me.
⁷⁶May your unfailing love^(DU) be my comfort,
    according to your promise^(DV) to your servant.
⁷⁷Let your compassion^(DW) come to me that I may live,
    for your law is my delight.^(DX)
⁷⁸May the arrogant^(DY) be put to shame for wronging me without cause;^(DZ)
    but I will meditate on your precepts.
⁷⁹May those who fear you turn to me,
    those who understand your statutes.^(EA)
⁸⁰May I wholeheartedly follow^(EB) your decrees,^(EC)
    that I may not be put to shame.^(ED)

כ Kaph

⁸¹My soul faints^(EE) with longing for your salvation,^(EF)
    but I have put my hope^(EG) in your word.
⁸²My eyes fail,^(EH) looking for your promise;^(EI)
    I say, “When will you comfort me?”
⁸³Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
    I do not forget^(EJ) your decrees.
⁸⁴How long^(EK) must your servant wait?
    When will you punish my persecutors?^(EL)
⁸⁵The arrogant^(EM) dig pits^(EN) to trap me,
    contrary to your law.
⁸⁶All your commands are trustworthy;^(EO)
    help me,^(EP) for I am being persecuted^(EQ) without cause.^(ER)
⁸⁷They almost wiped me from the earth,
    but I have not forsaken^(ES) your precepts.
⁸⁸In your unfailing love^(ET) preserve my life,^(EU)
    that I may obey the statutes^(EV) of your mouth.

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Footnotes

Psalm 119:1 This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet; moreover, the verses of each stanza begin with the same letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
Psalm 119:33 Or follow it for its reward
Psalm 119:37 Two manuscripts of the Masoretic Text and Dead Sea Scrolls; most manuscripts of the Masoretic Text life in your way

New International Version (NIV)

1 Corinthians 1-2

New International Version

Thanksgiving

A Church Divided Over Leaders

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

Footnotes

Cross references

Psalm 119:1-88

New International Version

Psalm 119^[a]

א Aleph

ב Beth

ג Gimel

ד Daleth

ה He

ו Waw

ז Zayin

ח Heth

ט Teth

י Yodh

כ Kaph

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Bible Gateway Recommends

1 Corinthians 1-2 New International Version

Thanksgiving

A Church Divided Over Leaders

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

God’s Wisdom Revealed by the Spirit

Footnotes

Cross references

Psalm 119:1-88 New International Version

Psalm 119[a]

א Aleph

ב Beth

ג Gimel

ד Daleth

ה He

ו Waw

ז Zayin

ח Heth

ט Teth

י Yodh

כ Kaph

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Bible Gateway Recommends

1 Corinthians 1-2

New International Version

Psalm 119:1-88

New International Version

Psalm 119^[a]