1 Corinthians 1:21
Good News Translation
For God in his wisdom made it impossible for people to know him by means of their own wisdom. Instead, by means of the so-called "foolish" message we preach, God decided to save those who believe.

New Revised Standard Version
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe.

Contemporary English Version
God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him. Instead, God chose to save only those who believe the foolish message we preach.

New American Bible
For since in the wisdom of God the world did not come to know God through wisdom, it was the will of God through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who have faith.

Douay-Rheims Bible
For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe.

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe.

in.

1 Corinthians 1:24 But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Daniel 2:20 And speaking, he said: Blessed be the name of the Lord from eternity and for evermore: for wisdom and fortitude are his.

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are his judgments, and how unsearchable his ways!

Ephesians 3:10 That the manifold wisdom of God may be made known to the principalities and powers in heavenly places through the church,

the wisdom.

the world.

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to little ones.

Luke 10:21 In that same hour, he rejoiced in the Holy Ghost and said: I confess to thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hidden these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to little ones. Yea, Father, for so it hath seemed good in thy sight.

Romans 1:20-22,28 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. His eternal power also and divinity: so that they are inexcusable. . . .

the foolishness.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God.

Context
The Message of the Cross
20Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of our preaching, to save them that believe. 22For both the Jews require signs: and the Greeks seek after wisdom.…
Cross References
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock, for it hath pleased your Father to give you a kingdom.

John 12:31
Now is the judgment of the world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

1 Corinthians 1:18
For the word of the cross, to them indeed that perish, is foolishness: but to them that are saved, that is, to us, it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:23
But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:

1 Corinthians 1:25
For the foolishness of God is wiser than men: and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1 Corinthians 1:27
But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the wise: and the weak things of the world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong.

1 Corinthians 2:14
But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God. For it is foolishness to him: and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined.

1 Corinthians 4:10
We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in Christ: we are weak, but you are strong: you are honourable, but we without honour.

1 Corinthians 6:2
Know you not that the saints shall judge this world? And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

1 Corinthians 11:32
But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we be not condemned with this world.

Galatians 1:15
But when it pleased him who separated me from my mother's womb and called me by his grace,

Galatians 4:8
But then indeed, not knowing God, you served them who, by nature, are not gods.

Ephesians 1:9
That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him,

Colossians 1:19
Because in him, it hath well pleased the Father that all fulness should dwell:

Hebrews 1:14
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent to minister for them who shall receive the inheritance of salvation?

Hebrews 2:3
How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation? Which, having begun to be declared by the Lord, was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.

Hebrews 7:25
Whereby he is able also to save for ever them that come to God by him; always living to make intercession for us.

James 4:4
Adulterers, know you not that the friendship of this world is the enemy of God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of this world becometh an enemy of God.

James 5:15
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man. And the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.

James 5:20
He must know that he who causeth a sinner to be converted from the error of his way shall save his soul from death and shall cover a multitude of sins.

1 Corinthians 1:20
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