(17) For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News--not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn't be made void. (18) For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.
(19) For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing." (20) Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (21) For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.
(22) For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom, (23) but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks, (24) but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. (25) Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
(26) For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; (27) but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong; (28) and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are: (29) that no flesh should boast before God. (30) But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption: (31) that, according as it is written, "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."
(1) But I determined this for myself, that I would not come to you again in sorrow.
(2) For if I make you sorry, then who will make me glad but he who is made sorry by me? (3) And I wrote this very thing to you, so that, when I came, I wouldn't have sorrow from them of whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy would be shared by all of you.
(4) For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you with many tears, not that you should be made sorry, but that you might know the love that I have so abundantly for you. (5) But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow, not to me, but in part(that I not press too heavily)to you all.
(6) Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many; (7) so that on the contrary you should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his excessive sorrow.
(8) Therefore I beg you to confirm your love toward him. (9) For to this end I also wrote, that I might know the proof of you, whether you are obedient in all things.
(10) Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, (11) that no advantage may be gained over us by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his schemes.
(12) Now when I came to Troas for the Good News of Christ, and when a door was opened to me in the Lord, (13) I had no relief for my spirit, because I didn't find Titus, my brother, but taking my leave of them, I went out into Macedonia.
(14) Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place.
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