1 Corinthians 3:18-21

New Living Translation

¹⁸Stop deceiving yourselves. If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. ¹⁹For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say,

“He traps the wise
in the snare of their own cleverness.”^[a]

²⁰And again,

“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise;
he knows they are worthless.”^[b]

²¹So don’t boast about following a particular human leader. For everything belongs to you—

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Footnotes

3:19 Job 5:13.
3:20 Ps 94:11.

1 Corinthians 3:18-21

New International Version

¹⁸Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise^(A) by the standards of this age,^(B) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. ¹⁹For the wisdom of this world is foolishness^(C) in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”^[a];^(D) ²⁰and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”^[b]^(E) ²¹So then, no more boasting about human leaders!^(F) All things are yours,^(G)