1 Corinthians 1

1 Paul, called as an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, and Sosthenes the brother, [a] 2 to the gathering of God, to those made holy in Christ Jesus, the one that is in Corinth, called holy ones, together with all those who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place — theirs and ours: [b] 3 Favor to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [d]

4 I give thanks to my God always concerning you, for the favor of God given to you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in everything you were made rich in him, in all speech and all knowledge, 6 just as the testimony of Christ was confirmed among you, 7 so that you lack no gift of favor as you wait eagerly for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, [e] 8 who will also confirm you to the end, without accusation on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into the sharing of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. [f]

10 Now I urge you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all say the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be mended together in the same mind and in the same judgment. [g] 11 For it was made clear to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there is strife among you. 12 Now I mean this, that each of you says, “I am of Paul,” “I of Apollos,” “I of Cephas,” “I of Christ.” [i] †

13 Has Christ been divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Or were you immersed into the name of Paul? [j] 14 I give thanks that I immersed none of you except Crispus and Gaius, [l] 15 so that no one may say that you were immersed into my name. 16 And I did immerse the household of Stephanas as well; beyond that I do not know whether I immersed anyone else. 17 For Christ did not send me to immerse but to bring the good news — not in wisdom of speech, so that the cross of Christ may not be emptied. [m]

18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is God’s power. 19 For it is written: [n]

20 Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made the wisdom of the world foolish? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who trust.

22 since Jews also ask for signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we proclaim Christ crucified — to Jews a stumbling block and to nations foolishness, [o] 24 but to those who are called themselves, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolish thing of God is wiser than people, and the weak thing of God is stronger than people.

26 For look at your calling, brothers: not many wise according to the flesh, not many powerful, not many well-born. [p] 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world so that he might shame the wise, and God chose the weak things of the world so that he might shame the strong, 28 and God chose the low-born things of the world and the despised things, the things that are not, so that he might bring to nothing the things that are, 29 so that no flesh may boast before God.

30 And out of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom to us from God — both righteousness and holiness and ransoming — [q] 31 so that, just as it is written: [r] †