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Paul, called apostle of Jesus Christ, by the will of God, and Sosthenes, brother,

to the church of God that is at Corinth, to them that be hallowed in Christ Jesus, and called saints, with all that inwardly call the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, in each place of them and of ours,

grace to you and peace of God, our Father, and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I do thankings to my God evermore for you, in the grace of God that is given to you in Christ Jesus.

For in all things ye be made rich in him, in each word, and in each knowing [and in each knowing, or science],

as the witnessing of Christ is confirmed in you;

so that nothing fail to you in any grace, that abide the showing of our Lord Jesus Christ [abiding the revelation, or showing, of our Lord Jesus Christ];

which also shall confirm you into the end without crime [which also shall confirm you till into the end without crime, or great sin], in the day of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

A true God [Forsooth God is true], by whom ye be called into the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 But, brethren, I beseech you, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all say the same thing, and that dissensions be not among you [and that schisms, or divisions, dissensions, or discords, be not among you]; but be ye perfect in the same wit, and in the same knowing.

11 For, my brethren, it is told to me of them that be at Chloe's, that strives be among you.

12 And I say that, that each of you saith, For I am of Paul, and I am of Apollos, and I am of Cephas, but I am of Christ. [Forsooth I say this thing, that each of you saith, Forsooth I am of Paul, forsooth I of Apollos, truly I of Cephas, that is, Peter, forsooth I of Christ.]

13 Whether Christ is parted? whether Paul was crucified for you, either ye be baptized in the name of Paul [or be ye baptized in the name of Paul]?

14 I do thankings to my God [I do thankings to God], that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15 lest any man say, that ye be baptized in my name.

16 And I baptized also the house of Stephanas, but I know not, that I baptized any other [if I baptized any other].

17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not in wisdom of word, that the cross of Christ be not voided away.

18 For the word of the cross is folly to them that perish; but to them that be made safe, that is to say, to us, it is the virtue of God.

19 For it is written, I shall destroy the wisdom of wise men [I shall lose the wisdom of wise men], and I shall reprove the prudence of prudent men.

20 Where is the wise man? where is the wise lawyer [where is the writer, or man of law]? where is the purchaser of this world? Whether God hath not made the wisdom of this world fond [Whether God hath not made the wisdom of this world foolish]?

21 For the world in wisdom of God knew not God by wisdom [For why for in the wisdom of God the world knew not God by wisdom], it pleased to God, by [the] folly of preaching, to make them safe that believed.

22 For Jews seek signs, and Greeks seek wisdom;

23 but we preach Christ crucified, to Jews cause of stumbling [to Jews soothly offence], and to heathen men folly;

24 but to those Jews and Greeks that be called, we preach Christ the virtue of God and the wisdom of God. [forsooth to them called, Jews and Greeks, Christ the virtue of God, and the wisdom of God.]

25 For that that is folly thing of God, is wiser than men; and that that is the feeble thing of God [and that that is the sick thing, or frail, of God], is stronger than men.

26 But, brethren, see ye your calling [Forsooth, see ye your calling, brethren]; for not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.

27 But God chose those things that be fond of the world, to confound wise men; and God chose the feeble things of the world, to confound the strong things; [But God chose those things that be foolish of the world, that he confound wise men; and God chose the sick things, or frail, of the world, that he confound the strong things;]

28 and God chose the unnoble things and despisable things of the world, and those things that be not, to destroy those things that be;

29 that each man have not glory in his sight. [that each flesh, or man, glory not in his sight.]

30 But of him ye be in Christ Jesus, which is made of God to us wisdom, and rightwiseness, and holiness, and again-buying;

31 that, as it is written, He that glorieth, have glory in the Lord [He that glorieth, glory in the Lord].

Paul, called to be an apostle(A) of Christ Jesus by the will of God,(B) and our brother Sosthenes,(C)

To the church of God(D) in Corinth,(E) to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called(F) to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name(G) of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.(H)

Thanksgiving

I always thank my God for you(I) because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. For in him you have been enriched(J) in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge(K) God thus confirming our testimony(L) about Christ among you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift(M) as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed.(N) He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless(O) on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.(P) God is faithful,(Q) who has called you(R) into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.(S)

A Church Divided Over Leaders

10 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters,[a](T) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you,(U) but that you be perfectly united(V) in mind and thought. 11 My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household(W) have informed me that there are quarrels among you. 12 What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”;(X) another, “I follow Apollos”;(Y) another, “I follow Cephas[b]”;(Z) still another, “I follow Christ.”

13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?(AA) 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus(AB) and Gaius,(AC) 15 so no one can say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (Yes, I also baptized the household(AD) of Stephanas;(AE) beyond that, I don’t remember if I baptized anyone else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize,(AF) but to preach the gospel—not with wisdom(AG) and eloquence, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ Crucified Is God’s Power and Wisdom

18 For the message of the cross is foolishness(AH) to those who are perishing,(AI) but to us who are being saved(AJ) it is the power of God.(AK) 19 For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
    the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”[c](AL)

20 Where is the wise person?(AM) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?(AN) Has not God made foolish(AO) the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world(AP) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save(AQ) those who believe.(AR) 22 Jews demand signs(AS) and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified:(AT) a stumbling block(AU) to Jews and foolishness(AV) to Gentiles, 24 but to those whom God has called,(AW) both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God(AX) and the wisdom of God.(AY) 25 For the foolishness(AZ) of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness(BA) of God is stronger than human strength.

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.(BB) Not many of you were wise(BC) by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose(BD) the foolish(BE) things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not(BF)—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.(BG) 30 It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus,(BH) who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness,(BI) holiness(BJ) and redemption.(BK) 31 Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”[d](BL)

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:10 The Greek word for brothers and sisters (adelphoi) refers here to believers, both men and women, as part of God’s family; also in verses 11 and 26; and in 2:1; 3:1; 4:6; 6:8; 7:24, 29; 10:1; 11:33; 12:1; 14:6, 20, 26, 39; 15:1, 6, 50, 58; 16:15, 20.
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:12 That is, Peter
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:19 Isaiah 29:14
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:31 Jer. 9:24