Kehillah in Corinth I 1:17-19

Orthodox Jewish Bible

¹⁷ For Moshiach did not send me to give Moshiach’s tevilah in the mikveh mayim, but to preach the Besuras HaGeulah, not by means of the lomdes (cleverness, erudition) of the rhetoric of Bnei Adam, lest the gevurah (power) of HaEtz HaKelalat Hashem (the Tree of the Curse of G-d—Dt 21:23) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach be buttel (cancelled out).

¹⁸ For the message of HaEtz HaKelalat Hashem (the Tree of the Curse of G-d—Dt 21:23) is narrishkait to the ones perishing. But to us who are being delivered in Yeshu’at Eloheinu, it is the gevurat Hashem (the power of G-d).

¹⁹ For it has been written, “I will destroy CHOCHMAT CHACHAMAV (the wisdom of the wise ones) U’VINAT NEVONAV (and the intelligence of the intelligent) I will set aside.” Isa 29:14.