1 Corinthians 1:17-31
Wycliffe Bible
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not in wisdom of word, that the cross of Christ be not voided away.
18 For the word of the cross is folly to them that perish; but to them that be made safe, that is to say, to us, it is the virtue of God.
19 For it is written, I shall destroy the wisdom of wise men [I shall lose the wisdom of wise men], and I shall reprove the prudence of prudent men.
20 Where is the wise man? where is the wise lawyer [where is the writer, or man of law]? where is the purchaser of this world? Whether God hath not made the wisdom of this world fond [Whether God hath not made the wisdom of this world foolish]?
21 For the world in wisdom of God knew not God by wisdom [For why for in the wisdom of God the world knew not God by wisdom], it pleased to God, by [the] folly of preaching, to make them safe that believed.
22 For Jews seek signs, and Greeks seek wisdom;
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews cause of stumbling [to Jews soothly offence], and to heathen men folly;
24 but to those Jews and Greeks that be called, we preach Christ the virtue of God and the wisdom of God. [forsooth to them called, Jews and Greeks, Christ the virtue of God, and the wisdom of God.]
25 For that that is folly thing of God, is wiser than men; and that that is the feeble thing of God [and that that is the sick thing, or frail, of God], is stronger than men.
26 But, brethren, see ye your calling [Forsooth, see ye your calling, brethren]; for not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.
27 But God chose those things that be fond of the world, to confound wise men; and God chose the feeble things of the world, to confound the strong things; [But God chose those things that be foolish of the world, that he confound wise men; and God chose the sick things, or frail, of the world, that he confound the strong things;]
28 and God chose the unnoble things and despisable things of the world, and those things that be not, to destroy those things that be;
29 that each man have not glory in his sight. [that each flesh, or man, glory not in his sight.]
30 But of him ye be in Christ Jesus, which is made of God to us wisdom, and rightwiseness, and holiness, and again-buying;
31 that, as it is written, He that glorieth, have glory in the Lord [He that glorieth, glory in the Lord].
Read full chapter2001 by Terence P. Noble