And again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” ¹ 

Guard against self-deception, each of you. ¹  If someone among you thinks he is wise in this age, let him become foolish so that he can become wise.

I say this to your shame! Is there no one among you wise enough to settle disputes between fellow Christians? ¹ 

For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness of the intelligent.” ¹ 

But God chose what the world thinks foolish to shame the wise, and God chose what the world thinks weak to shame the strong.

For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. As it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.” ¹ 

We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, we are dishonored!

Think about the circumstances of your call, ¹  brothers and sisters. ²  Not many were wise by human standards, ³  not many were powerful, not many were born to a privileged position. ⁴ 

Where is the wise man? Where is the expert in the Mosaic law? ¹  Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made the wisdom of the world foolish?

I am speaking to thoughtful people. Consider what I say.

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds.

My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power,

For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

Brothers and sisters, ¹  do not be children in your thinking. Instead, be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

When I came ¹  to you, brothers and sisters, ²  I did not come with superior eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed the testimony ³  of God.

“All things are lawful for me” ¹  – but not everything is beneficial. “All things are lawful for me” – but I will not be controlled by anything.

And I say this, brothers and sisters: ¹  The time is short. So then those who have wives should be as those who have none,

“Everything is lawful,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is lawful,” ¹  but not everything builds others up. ² 

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel – and not with clever speech, so that the cross of Christ would not become useless. ¹ 

And God has placed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, gifts of healing, helps, gifts of leadership, different kinds of tongues.