1 Corinthians 1

1Paul, called apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, and Sosthenes our brother.

2To God's church in Corinth, those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, together with all who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place—theirs and ours.

3Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4I always thank my God for you, for the grace of God that was given to you in Christ Jesus.

5that you were enriched in him in every way, in all speech and all knowledge

6as Christ's testimony was confirmed in you

7so that you lack no gift while awaiting the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ.

8who will also establish you blameless until the end in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9God is faithful, through whom you were called into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

10I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing and no divisions exist among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

11For it was made known to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that quarrels are among you.

12What I am saying is this: that each one of you says, "I belong to Paul," "I belong to Apollos," "I belong to Cephas," and "I belong to Christ."

13Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

14I give thanks that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius.

15so that no one says you were baptized into my name.

16I also baptized Stephanas' household; beyond that, I don't know whether I baptized anyone else.

17For Christ sent me not to baptize but to proclaim good news—not in wisdom of speech—so the cross of Christ would not be emptied.

18For the message of the cross is foolishness to those perishing, but to us being saved it is the power of God.

19For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and nullify the understanding of the prudent.

20Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of the world?

21For since in God's wisdom the world through wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who believe.

22For Jews request signs, and Greeks seek wisdom.

23But we proclaim Christ crucified—a stumbling block to Jews, but foolishness to Gentiles.

24But to those called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God's power and God's wisdom.

25Because God's folly is wiser than men, and God's weakness is stronger than men.

26Consider your calling, brothers, because not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.

27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong things.

28And God chose the ignoble things of the world and the contemptible things, the things that do not exist, so that he might nullify the things that exist.

29so that no flesh might boast before God.

30But from him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God, and righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.

31so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”