Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
For God Intends The Gospel To Be Both Foolishness And Powerful
18 For the speech[a] of the cross is foolishness to the ones perishing, but is the power of God to us being saved. 19 For it has been written [in Isa 29:14]: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise ones, and I will set-aside the intelligence[b] of the intelligent ones”. 20 Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe[c]? Where is the debater of this age? Did not God make-foolish the wisdom of the world?
For God Saves Those Who Believe The “Foolishness” of Christ Crucified
21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not know[d] God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of [e] the proclamation to save the ones believing. 22 Because indeed Jews are asking-for signs and Greeks are seeking wisdom, 23 but we are proclaiming Christ crucified[f]— to Jews, an offense; and to Gentiles, foolishness; 24 but to the called ones themselves, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolish thing[g] of God is wiser than humans, and the weak thing of God is stronger than humans.
God Chose To Save The Foolish And Weak To Shame Human Self-Effort
26 For look-at[h] your calling, brothers— that there are not many wise according-to[i] the flesh, not many powerful, not many well-born[j]. 27 But God chose[k] the foolish things of the world in order that He might be putting the wise ones to shame. And God chose the weak things of the world in order that He might be putting the strong things to shame. 28 And God chose the low-born[l] things of the world, and the things having been treated-with-contempt[m]— the things not being[n], in order that He might bring-to-nothing the things being, 29 so that no flesh may boast in the sight of God. 30 But by Him you are in Christ Jesus, Who became wisdom to us from God— both righteousness and holiness[o], and redemption— 31 in order that just as it has been written [in Jer 9:24], “Let the one boasting be boasting in the Lord”.
Jesus Says The Hour For Which He Came Has Come. A Seed Must Die To Bear Fruit
20 Now some of the ones going up in order that they might worship at the Feast were Greeks[a]. 21 So these ones came to Philip, the one from Bethsaida of Galilee, and were asking him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus”. 22 Philip comes and tells Andrew. Andrew and Philip come, and they tell Jesus. 23 And Jesus responds to them, saying, “The hour has come for[b] the Son of Man to be glorified. 24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless the seed of wheat having fallen to the earth dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. 25 The one loving his life loses it, and the one hating his life in this world will keep[c] it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him be following Me. And where I am, there also My servant will be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him. 27 Now My soul has been troubled. And what should I say— ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this reason I came to this hour! 28 Father, glorify Your name!”
Now Is The Judgment of This World. If I Am Lifted Up, I Will Draw All People To Myself
Then a voice came from heaven: “I both glorified it, and will again glorify it”. 29 Then the crowd, the one standing there and having heard, was saying that thunder had taken place. Others were saying, “An angel has spoken to Him”. 30 Jesus responded and said, “This voice has taken place not for My sake, but for your sakes. 31 Now is the judgment of this world! Now the ruler of this world will be cast out! 32 And if I am lifted-up[d] from the earth, I will draw all people to Myself ”. 33 Now He was saying this signifying by what-kind-of death He was going to die.
Believe In The Light While You Have The Light, That You May Become Sons of Light
34 Then the crowd responded to Him, “We heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How indeed do You say that ‘The Son of Man must be lifted-up[e]’? Who is this Son of Man?” 35 Then Jesus said to them, “The Light is among you for a short time longer. Be walking while you have the Light, in order that darkness may not overtake you. Indeed the one walking in the darkness does not know where he is going. 36 While you have the Light, be believing in the Light, in order that you may become sons of Light”. Jesus spoke these things, and having gone away, was hidden from them.
Disciples' Literal New Testament: Serving Modern Disciples by More Fully Reflecting the Writing Style of the Ancient Disciples, Copyright © 2011 Michael J. Magill. All Rights Reserved. Published by Reyma Publishing