1 Corinthians 1:19-21

New English Translation

¹⁹For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and I will thwart the cleverness of the intelligent.”^[a] ²⁰Where is the wise man? Where is the expert in the Mosaic law?^[b] Where is the debater of this age? Has God not made the wisdom of the world foolish? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world by its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased to save those who believe by the foolishness of preaching.

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Footnotes

1 Corinthians 1:19 sn A quotation from Isa 29:14.
1 Corinthians 1:20 tn Grk “the scribe.” The traditional rendering of γραμματεύς (grammateus) as “scribe” does not communicate much to the modern English reader, for whom the term might mean “professional copyist,” if it means anything at all. The people referred to here were recognized experts in the law of Moses and in traditional laws and regulations. Thus “expert in the Mosaic law” comes closer to the meaning for the modern reader.

1 Corinthians 1:19-21

New International Version

¹⁹For it is written:

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise;
the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.”^[a]^(A)

²⁰Where is the wise person?^(B) Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age?^(C) Has not God made foolish^(D) the wisdom of the world? ²¹For since in the wisdom of God the world^(E) through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save^(F) those who believe.^(G)