God is faithful, by whom ye are called unto the fellowship of his son Iesus Christ our lord.
I beseech you brethren in the name of our lord Iesus Christ, that ye all speak one thing, and that there be no dissension among you: but be ye perfect in one mind, and one meaning: It is shewed unto me (my brethren) of you by them that are of the house of Cloe, that there is strife among you, I speak of that which everyone of you sayth: I hold of Paul, Another sayth: I hold of apollo: Another saith: I hold of Cephas: and another saith I hold of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? other were ye baptised in the name of Paul? I thank God that I christened none of you, but Crispus and Gaius, lest any should say that I in mine own name had baptised. I baptised also the house of Stephana. Furthermore know I not whether I baptised any man or no.
For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the gospell, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should have been made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness: but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will cast away the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise man? where is the scribe? where is the searcher of this world? Hath not God made the wisdom of this world foolishness?
For when the world thorow wisdom knew not God, in the wisdom of God: it pleased God thorow foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For the jews require a sign, and the greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the jews an occasion of falling and unto the greeks foolishness: but unto them which are called both of Iews and greeks we preach Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
For Godly foolishness is wiser than men: And Godly weakness is stronger than are men.
Brethren look on your calling how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many of high degree are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world, to confound the wise. And hath chosen the weak things of the world, to confound things which are mighty. And vile things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen yee and things of no reputation, for to bring to nought things of reputation, that no flesh should rejoice in his presence. And unto him pertain ye, in Christ Iesu, which of God is made unto us wisdom, and also righteousness, and sanctifying, and redemption. That according as it is written: he which rejoiceth, should rejoice in the lord.
The .ij. Chapter.
And I brethren when I came to you, came not in gloriousness of words or of wisdom, shewing unto you the testimony of God. Neither shewed I myself that I knew any thing among you save Iesus Christ, even the same that was crucified. And I was among you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my words, and my preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom: but in shewing of the spirit and of power, that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men: but in the power of God.
We speak that which is wisdom among them that are perfect: not the wisdom of this world neither of the rulers of this world (which goeth to nought,) but we speak the wisdom of God, which is in secret and lieth hid, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: which wisdom none of the rulers of the world knew. For had they known it, they would not have crucified the lord of glory: but as it is written: The eye hath not seen, and the ear hath not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.