New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
18 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.
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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 bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent."
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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 wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?
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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 the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
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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 Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom;
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Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness,
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but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
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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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 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.