1 Corinthians 1:18-21

New American Standard Bible

The Wisdom of God

¹⁸For the word of the cross is ^(A)foolishness to ^(B)those who ^[a]are perishing, but to us who ^[b]are being saved it is ^(C)the power of God. ¹⁹For it is written:

“^(D)I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And the understanding of those who have understanding, I will confound.”

²⁰^(E)Where is the wise person? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of ^(F)this age? Has God not ^(G)made foolish the wisdom of ^(H)the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God ^(I)the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, ^(J)God ^[c]was pleased through the ^(K)foolishness of the ^[d]message preached to ^(L)save those who believe.

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Footnotes

1 Corinthians 1:18 Or perish
1 Corinthians 1:18 Or are saved
1 Corinthians 1:21 Or resolved
1 Corinthians 1:21 Lit preaching

1 Corinthians 1:18-21

New King James Version

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God^(A)

¹⁸For the ^[a]message of the cross is ^(B)foolishness to ^(C)those who are perishing, but to us ^(D)who are being saved it is the ^(E)power of God. ¹⁹For it is written:

^(F)“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

²⁰^(G)Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the ^[b]disputer of this age? ^(H)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? ²¹For since, in the ^(I)wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.