Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
New International Version NIV
18 For to those who are perishing the message of the cross is foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is God's power.
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For the message of the cross is foolishness 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 I will set aside the understanding of the experts.
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For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”
20 Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of this age? Hasn't God made the world's wisdom foolish?
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Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since, in God's wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached.
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For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22 For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom,
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Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.
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but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God's power and God's wisdom,
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but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 because God's foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God's weakness is stronger than human strength.
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For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.