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1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 NWT
18 For the speech about the torture stake is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is God's power. 19 For it is written: "I will make the wisdom of the wise [men] perish, and the intelligence of the intellectual [men] I will shove aside." [Isaiah 29:14] 20 Where is the wise man? Where the scribe? Where the debater of this system of things? Did not God make the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom did not get to know God, God saw good through the foolishness of what is preached to save those believing. 22 For both the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks look for wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ impaled, to the Jews a cause for stumbling but to the nations foolishness; 24 however, to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because a foolish thing of God is wiser than men, and a weak thing of God is stronger than men. 26 For you behold his calling of you, brothers, that not many wise in a fleshly way were called, not many powerful, not many of noble birth; 27 but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put the wise men to shame; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame; 28 and God chose the ignoble things of the world and the things looked down upon, the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are, 29 in order that no flesh might boast in the sight of God. 30 But it is due to him that you are in union with Christ Jesus, who has become to us wisdom from God, also righteousness and sanctification and release by ransom; 31 that it may be just as it is written: "He that boasts, let him boast in Jehovah." [Jer 9:24] 2:1 And so I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come with an extravagance of speech or of wisdom declaring the sacred secret of God to you. 2 For I decided not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ, and him impaled. 3 And I came to you in weakness and in fear and with much trembling; 4 and my speech and what I preached were not with persuasive words of wisdom but with a demonstration of spirit and power, 5 that your faith might be, not in men's wisdom, but in God's power. 6 Now we speak wisdom among those who are mature, but not the wisdom of this system of things nor that of the rulers of this system of things, who are to come to nothing. 7 But we speak God's wisdom in a sacred secret, the hidden wisdom, which God foreordained before the systems of things for our glory. 8 This [wisdom] not one of the rulers of this system of things came to know, for if they had known [it] they would not have impaled the glorious Lord. 9 But just as it is written: "Eye has not seen and ear has not heard, neither have there been conceived in the heart of man the things that God has prepared for those who love him." [Isaiah 64:4] 10 For it is to us God has revealed them through his spirit, for the spirit searches into all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man that is in him? So, too, no one has come to know the things of God, except the spirit of God. 12 Now we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God, that we might know the things that have been kindly given us by God. 13 These things we also speak, not with words taught by human wisdom, but with those taught by [the] spirit, as we combine spiritual [matters] with spiritual [words]. 14 But a physical man does not receive the things of the spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot get to know [them], because they are examined spiritually. 15 However, the spiritual man examines indeed all things, but he himself is not examined by any man. 16 For "who has come to know the mind of Jehovah, that he may instruct him?" But we do have the mind of Christ. [Isaiah 40:13]
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 ALT
(18) For the word of the cross indeed is foolishness to the ones perishing, but to us, the ones being saved, it is [the] power of God!
(19) For it has been written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the intelligence of the intelligent I will bring to nothing." [Isaiah 29:14]
(20) Where [is the] wise? Where [is the] scribe? Where [is the] skillful debater of this age? God made the wisdom of this world foolish, did He not?
(21) For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the proclamation [or, the message being preached] to save the ones believing.
(22) Since also Jews ask for a sign, and Greeks seek wisdom,
(23) but we proclaim Christ [as] having been crucified, to Jews indeed a stumbling-block and to Greeks foolishness,
(24) but to them, the ones called, both to Jews and to Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than people, and the weakness of God is stronger than people.
(26) For youp see yourp calling, brothers [and sisters], that [there are] not many wise according to [the] flesh, not many powerful, not many noble [or, of high social status];
(27) but God chose the foolish [things] of the world, so that He should be humiliating the wise; and God chose the weak [things] of the world, so that He should be humiliating the strong;
(28) and God chose the insignificant [things] of the world and the [things] having been despised [or, looked down on], and the [things] not being, so that He should nullify the [things] being [fig., which exist],
(29) in order that all flesh shall not [or, no flesh shall] boast before God.
(30) But by Him youp are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
(31) so that, just as it has been written, "The one boasting, let him be boasting in [the] LORD." [Jer 9:24]
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ALT
(1) And when I came to youp, brothers [and sisters], I came not according to superiority of speech or of wisdom declaring to youp the testimony of God.
(2) For I decided [or, determined] not to know any[thing] among youp, except Jesus Christ, and this One having been crucified!
(3) And I was with youp in weakness and in fear and in much trembling.
(4) And my word [or, message] and my proclamation [were] not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of [the] Spirit and of power,
(5) so that yourp faith should not be in [the] wisdom of people, but in the power of God!
(6) But we speak wisdom among the perfect [or, mature], but wisdom not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, the ones being destroyed.
(7) But we speak [the] wisdom of God in a secret, the [wisdom] having been hidden, which God predestined before the ages for our glory,
(8) which none of the rulers of this age knew; for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) But just as it has been written, "What [things] an eye did not see and an ear did not hear and did not enter into the heart of humanity, [fig., no person thought could happen], which [things] God prepared for the ones loving Him." [Isaiah 64:4]
(10) But God revealed [them] to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all [things], even the depths of God.
(11) For who among people knows the [things] of the person, except the spirit of the person, the [one] in him? In the same way also no one knows the [things] of God, except the Spirit of God.
(12) But we did not receive the spirit of the world, but the Spirit, the [One] from God, so that we should know the [things] having been graciously given to us by God;
(13) which [things] also we speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in [words] taught by the Holy Spirit, interpreting spiritual [things] by spiritual [words] [or, combining spiritual [ideas] with spiritual [words]].
(14) But a natural [or, unspiritual] person does not receive the [things] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know [them], because they are spiritually examined.
(15) But the spiritual [one] indeed examines all [things], but he himself is examined by no one.
(16) "For who knew [the] mind of [the] LORD? Who will instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ. [Isaiah 40:13]
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 GNB
(18) For the message about Christ's death on the cross is nonsense to those who are being lost; but for us who are being saved it is God's power.
(19) The scripture says, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and set aside the understanding of the scholars." [Isaiah 29:14]
(20) So then, where does that leave the wise? or the scholars? or the skillful debaters of this world? God has shown that this world's wisdom is foolishness!
(21) For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called "foolish" message we preach, God decided to save those who believe.
(22) Jews want miracles for proof, and Greeks look for wisdom.
(23) As for us, we proclaim the crucified Christ, a message that is offensive to the Jews and nonsense to the Gentiles;
(24) but for those whom God has called, both Jews and Gentiles, this message is Christ, who is the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(25) For what seems to be God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and what seems to be God's weakness is stronger than human strength.
(26) Now remember what you were, my friends, when God called you. From the human point of view few of you were wise or powerful or of high social standing.
(27) God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful.
(28) He chose what the world looks down on and despises and thinks is nothing, in order to destroy what the world thinks is important.
(29) This means that no one can boast in God's presence.
(30) But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God's holy people and are set free.
(31) So then, as the scripture says, "Whoever wants to boast must boast of what the LORD has done." [Jer 9:24]
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 GNB
(1) When I came to you, my friends, to preach God's secret truth, I did not use big words and great learning.
(2) For while I was with you, I made up my mind to forget everything except Jesus Christ and especially his death on the cross.
(3) So when I came to you, I was weak and trembled all over with fear,
(4) and my teaching and message were not delivered with skillful words of human wisdom, but with convincing proof of the power of God's Spirit.
(5) Your faith, then, does not rest on human wisdom but on God's power.
(6) Yet I do proclaim a message of wisdom to those who are spiritually mature. But it is not the wisdom that belongs to this world or to the powers that rule this world---powers that are losing their power.
(7) The wisdom I proclaim is God's secret wisdom, which is hidden from human beings, but which he had already chosen for our glory even before the world was made.
(8) None of the rulers of this world knew this wisdom. If they had known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) However, as the scripture says, "What no one ever saw or heard, what no one ever thought could happen, is the very thing God prepared for those who love him." [Isaiah 64:4]
(10) But it was to us that God made known his secret by means of his Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God's purposes.
(11) It is only our own spirit within us that knows all about us; in the same way, only God's Spirit knows all about God.
(12) We have not received this world's spirit; instead, we have received the Spirit sent by God, so that we may know all that God has given us.
(13) So then, we do not speak in words taught by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, as we explain spiritual truths to those who have the Spirit.
(14) Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis.
(15) Whoever has the Spirit, however, is able to judge the value of everything, but no one is able to judge him.
(16) As the scripture says, "Who knows the mind of the LORD? Who is able to give him advice?" We, however, have the mind of Christ. [Isaiah 40:13]
1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16 ESV
(18) For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." [Isaiah 29:14]
(20) Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
(21) For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.
(22) For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom,
(23) but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
(24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
(25) For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
(26) For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.
(27) But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong;
(28) God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
(29) so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
(30) And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption,
(31) so that, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord." [Jer 9:24]
1 Corinthians 2:1-16 ESV
(1) And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.
(2) For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.
(3) And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling,
(4) and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
(5) that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
(6) Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
(7) But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.
(8) None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- [Isaiah 64:4]
(10) these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.
(11) For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
(13) And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
(14) The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.
(15) The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.
(16) "For who has understood the mind of the LORD so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. [Isaiah 40:13]
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You will note the reference windows often include more than one translation of the Bible. The reason is to strive to gain the best possible understanding of the original Hebrew and Greek. Since we don't speak those languages, we rely on those who have come before and made the effort to translate those texts into English for us. Considering several translations gives the benefit of the understanding of several translation committees or individuals.
The Translations we quote are:
ALT - Analytical Literal Translation
ASV - American Standard Version (by the American revision committee in 1897).
Darby - 1889 Darby Bible
DRB - 1899 Douay-Rheims Bible
BBE - 1965 Bible in Basic English
LITV - Literal Translation of the Holy Bible
KJV - King James Version
MKJV - Modern King James Version
NWT - New World Translation
Webster - 1833 Webster Bible
RV - Revised Version
YLT - Young's Literal Translation