1 Corinthians 1:20

New International Reader's Version

Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where are the great thinkers of our time? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of the world foolish?

Cross References

2 Samuel 15:31

David had been told, “Ahithophel, along with Absalom, is one of the people making secret plans against you.” So David prayed, “Lord, make Ahithophel’s advice look foolish.”

2 Samuel 16:23

In those days the advice Ahithophel gave was as good as advice from someone who asks God for guidance. That’s what David and Absalom thought about all of Ahithophel’s advice.

2 Samuel 17:14

Absalom and all the men of Israel agreed. They said, “The advice of Hushai, the Arkite, is better than the advice of Ahithophel.” The Lord had decided that Ahithophel’s good advice would fail. The Lord wanted to bring horrible trouble on Absalom.

2 Samuel 17:23

Ahithophel saw that his advice wasn’t being followed. So he put a saddle on his donkey. He started out for his house in his hometown. When he arrived, he made everything ready for his death. He made out his will. Then he killed himself. And so he died and was buried in his father’s tomb.

Job 12:17

He removes the wisdom of rulers and leads them away. He makes judges look foolish.

Job 12:20

He shuts the mouths of trusted advisers. He takes away the understanding of elders.

Job 12:24

He takes away the understanding of the leaders of the earth. He makes them wander in a desert where no one lives.

Isaiah 33:18

You will think about what used to terrify you. You will say to yourself, “Where is that chief officer of Assyria? Where is the one who forced us to send gifts to his king? Where is the officer in charge of the towers that were used when we were attacked?”

Isaiah 44:25

“Some prophets are not really prophets at all. I show that their signs are fake. I make those who practice evil magic look foolish. I destroy the learning of those who think they are wise. Their knowledge does not make any sense at all.

Isaiah 53:1

Who has believed what we’ve been saying? Who has seen the Lord’s saving power?

Jeremiah 10:7

King of the nations, everyone should have respect for you. That’s what people should give you. Among all the wise leaders of the nations there is no one like you. No one can compare with you in all their kingdoms.

Matthew 13:22

The seed that fell among the thorns is like others who hear the message. But then the worries of this life and the false promises of wealth crowd it out. They keep the message from producing fruit.

John 12:31

Now it is time for the world to be judged. Now the prince of this world will be thrown out.

Acts 17:18

A group of Epicurean and Stoic thinkers began to argue with him. Some of them asked, “What is this fellow chattering about?” Others said, “He seems to be telling us about gods we’ve never heard of.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus. He was telling them that Jesus had risen from the dead.

Romans 1:20

Ever since the world was created it has been possible to see the qualities of God that are not seen. I’m talking about his eternal power and about the fact that he is God. Those things can be seen in what he has made. So people have no excuse for what they do.

Romans 1:22

They claimed to be wise. But they made fools of themselves.

1 Corinthians 1:19

It is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of those who are wise. I will do away with the cleverness of those who think they are so smart.” (Isaiah 29:14)

1 Corinthians 1:26

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when God chose you. Not many of you were considered wise by human standards. Not many of you were powerful. Not many of you belonged to important families.

1 Corinthians 1:27

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

1 Corinthians 1:28

God chose the things of this world that are common and looked down on. God chose things considered unimportant to do away with things considered important.

1 Corinthians 11:32

When the Lord judges us in this way, he corrects us. Then in the end we will not be judged along with the rest of the world.

1 Corinthians 2:6

The words we speak to those who have grown in the faith are wise. Our words are different from the wisdom of this world. Our words are different from those of the rulers of this world. These rulers are becoming less and less powerful.

1 Corinthians 2:8

None of the rulers of this world understood God’s wisdom. If they had, they would not have nailed the Lord of glory to the cross.

1 Corinthians 3:18

Don’t fool yourselves. Suppose some of you think you are wise by the standards of the world. Then you should become “fools” so that you can become wise.

1 Corinthians 3:19

The wisdom of this world is foolish in God’s eyes. It is written, “God catches wise people in their own evil plans.” (Job 5:13)

1 Corinthians 6:2

Or don’t you know that the Lord’s people will judge the world? Since this is true, aren’t you able to judge small cases?

James 4:4

You are not faithful to God. Don’t you know that to be a friend of the world is to hate God? So anyone who chooses to be the world’s friend becomes God’s enemy.