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.

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]

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

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

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.

¹⁸ For such people are not serving our Lord Christ,^(A) but their own appetites.^(B) By smooth talk and flattery they deceive^(C) the minds of naive people.

⁶ “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak;^(A) I am too young.”^(B)

⁷ But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you.

¹⁰ Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.”^(A)